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The differences between biology instructors and laboratory instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a biology instructor and a laboratory instructor. Additionally, a biology instructor has an average salary of $58,811, which is higher than the $49,931 average annual salary of a laboratory instructor.
The top three skills for a biology instructor include anatomy, student learning and lab experiments. The most important skills for a laboratory instructor are lab procedures, molecular biology, and patient care.
| Biology Instructor | Laboratory Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $58,811 | $49,931 |
| Hourly rate | $28.27 | $24.01 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 37,540 | 63,100 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Biology Instructor is a teacher responsible for educating students on biology either in middle school, high school, or at a college level. They are responsible for creating a learning curriculum that covers scientific investigations and lab experiments. They must also design student assessment programs, liaise with parents on student growth, and create school policies and regulations. Other duties include coordinating field trips, attending staff meetings, and establishing student rapport.
A Laboratory Instructor works closely with students and faculty in laboratories. They set up and prepare the laboratory for experiments, and organize and maintain equipment and supplies. They also teach students how to properly use laboratory equipment, tools, and machines. Laboratory Instructors are responsible for maintaining the routine preventative maintenance of all laboratory equipment. Other duties include reinforcing laboratory housekeeping and safety protocol, coordinating with other engineering departments, and receiving, installing, and maintaining laboratory supplies and equipment.
Biology instructors and laboratory instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biology Instructor | Laboratory Instructor | |
| Average salary | $58,811 | $49,931 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $91,000 | Between $31,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Kern Community College District | Hutchinson Community College |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a biology instructor and a laboratory instructor in terms of educational background:
| Biology Instructor | Laboratory Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Cornell University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between biology instructors' and laboratory instructors' demographics:
| Biology Instructor | Laboratory Instructor | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1% | Male, 51.3% Female, 48.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 11.2% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 15.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |