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The differences between biology laboratory assistants and biological 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 biology laboratory assistant and a biological technician. Additionally, a biological technician has an average salary of $43,572, which is higher than the $34,240 average annual salary of a biology laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a biology laboratory assistant include lab equipment, biology laboratory and chemistry. The most important skills for a biological technician are GPS, lab equipment, and data collection.
| Biology Laboratory Assistant | Biological Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,240 | $43,572 |
| Hourly rate | $16.46 | $20.95 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 48,958 | 9,182 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A biology laboratory assistant is in charge of assisting scientists or researchers and performing laboratory support tasks on a daily basis. Their responsibilities include setting up and sanitizing equipment, preparing samples, maintaining documentation of all experiments and procedures, writing laboratory reports, and running errands as needed. There are also instances where they must update databases, answer calls and correspondence, and grade student papers. Furthermore, a biology laboratory assistant must maintain the cleanliness of laboratories, all while implementing its policies and regulations.
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.
Biology laboratory assistants and biological technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biology Laboratory Assistant | Biological Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,240 | $43,572 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $52,000 | Between $30,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bridgewater, MA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| Best paying industry | Government | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a biology laboratory assistant and a biological technician in terms of educational background:
| Biology Laboratory Assistant | Biological Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between biology laboratory assistants' and biological technicians' demographics:
| Biology Laboratory Assistant | Biological Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3% | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 14.9% White, 50.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |