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The differences between biological technicians and research 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 technician. Additionally, a biological technician has an average salary of $43,572, which is higher than the $43,034 average annual salary of a research technician.
The top three skills for a biological technician include GPS, lab equipment and data collection. The most important skills for a research technician are patients, data collection, and cell culture.
| Biological Technician | Research Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $43,572 | $43,034 |
| Hourly rate | $20.95 | $20.69 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 9,182 | 64,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Biological technicians and research technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biological Technician | Research Technician | |
| Average salary | $43,572 | $43,034 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $61,000 | Between $31,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Pasadena, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a biological technician and a research technician in terms of educational background:
| Biological Technician | Research Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between biological technicians' and research technicians' demographics:
| Biological Technician | Research Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% |
| 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, 12.0% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 16.5% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |