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The differences between biological technicians and research laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a biological technician and a research laboratory technician. Additionally, a biological technician has an average salary of $43,572, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a biological technician include GPS, lab equipment and data collection. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.
| Biological Technician | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $43,572 | $38,308 |
| Hourly rate | $20.95 | $18.42 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 9,182 | 86,476 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A biological technician is in charge of performing laboratory support tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around gathering and preparing samples, operating laboratory equipment, conducting analysis and experiments, recording every progress, and maintaining documentation. They may also coordinate with other technicians and scientists in various research and development efforts, summarizing findings into reports and presentations. Furthermore, as a laboratory technician, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness and order in the laboratory, all while adhering to its policies and regulations.
Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.
Biological technicians and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biological Technician | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $43,572 | $38,308 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $61,000 | Between $30,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Chicago, IL |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Illinois |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a biological technician and a research laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Biological Technician | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between biological technicians' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Biological Technician | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% | Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 12.6% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |