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The differences between forensic scientists and laboratory analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a forensic scientist, becoming a laboratory analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a forensic scientist has an average salary of $71,351, which is higher than the $44,024 average annual salary of a laboratory analyst.
The top three skills for a forensic scientist include laboratory equipment, physical evidence and analytical procedures. The most important skills for a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.
| Forensic Scientist | Laboratory Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $71,351 | $44,024 |
| Hourly rate | $34.30 | $21.17 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 43,335 | 44,074 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Forensic scientists work as experts in collecting evidence, analyzing evidence collected at crime scenes, and communicating with law enforcement. They can work as a lab manager and detective. They are responsible for ensuring that tests are performed correctly and ethically without any bias. They obtain evidence at the crime scene, making reports of the findings, examining the evidence in the lab if the evidence collected is relevant or not, and testifying in court. They report to superiors the findings of the analysis.
A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.
Forensic scientists and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forensic Scientist | Laboratory Analyst | |
| Average salary | $71,351 | $44,024 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $112,000 | Between $31,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lincoln, NE | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New York |
| Best paying company | Alere | AbbVie |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a forensic scientist and a laboratory analyst in terms of educational background:
| Forensic Scientist | Laboratory Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between forensic scientists' and laboratory analysts' demographics:
| Forensic Scientist | Laboratory Analyst | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9% | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |