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The differences between biology laboratory technicians and microbiological 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 biology laboratory technician and a microbiological laboratory technician. Additionally, a microbiological laboratory technician has an average salary of $38,713, which is higher than the $38,514 average annual salary of a biology laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a biology laboratory technician include lab equipment, molecular biology and chemistry. The most important skills for a microbiological laboratory technician are microbiology lab, laboratory procedures, and aseptic technique.
| Biology Laboratory Technician | Microbiological Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,514 | $38,713 |
| Hourly rate | $18.52 | $18.61 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 45,470 | 44,567 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A biological technician assists medical and biological scientists in conducting laboratory experiments and tests. As a biological technician, you will perform a variety of tasks that include setting up, maintaining, and cleaning laboratory equipment and instruments such as test tubes and microscopes, collecting and preparing biological samples, and analyzing experimental data, and interpreting results. In addition, you will assist medical scientists by administering new treatments and medicines to laboratory animals. You will also perform different techniques such as specimen staining to aid identification.
A microbiological laboratory technician specializes in handling and testing samples, ensuring accuracy and safety. Often working under the supervision of a more experienced scientist, a microbiological laboratory technician has the responsibility to operate various devices and machines, record all progress and data, review results, and produce reports and documentation. There are also instances when a technician must submit results within deadlines or follow a senior scientist's directives. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to the safety policies and rules of the laboratory at all times.
Biology laboratory technicians and microbiological laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biology Laboratory Technician | Microbiological Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,514 | $38,713 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $29,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Burlington, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | University of California | AstraZeneca |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a biology laboratory technician and a microbiological laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Biology Laboratory Technician | Microbiological Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between biology laboratory technicians' and microbiological laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Biology Laboratory Technician | Microbiological Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% | Male, 36.0% Female, 64.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 12.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 15.2% White, 51.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |