Graduate research student vs research laboratory technician

The differences between graduate research students and research laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research laboratory technician has an average salary of $38,308, which is higher than the $34,658 average annual salary of a graduate research student.

The top three skills for a graduate research student include lab equipment, laboratory equipment and python. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.

Graduate research student vs research laboratory technician overview

	Graduate Research Student	Research Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$34,658	$38,308
Hourly rate	$16.66	$18.42
Growth rate	19%	9%
Number of jobs	58,921	86,476
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	-	4

What does a graduate research student do?

Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.

What does a research laboratory technician do?

Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.

Graduate research student vs research laboratory technician salary

Graduate research students and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Graduate Research Student	Research Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$34,658	$38,308
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $60,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Chicago, IL
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	Illinois
Best paying company	Capgemini	Accenture
Best paying industry	Education	Manufacturing

Differences between graduate research student and research laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a graduate research student and a research laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

	Graduate Research Student	Research Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Cornell University

Graduate research student vs research laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between graduate research students' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Graduate Research Student	Research Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8%	Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between graduate research student and research laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Graduate research student example responsibilities.

Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
Conduct molecular and cellular biology research techniques including DNA, RNA and protein isolation and analysis
Assist in organic chemistry laboratory on synthesis of molecule that behaves as fluorescent switch with cation binding properties
Perform Parkinson's psychological test on undergraduate students at UCLA and analyze data using statistical analysis software SPSS.
Analyze data using SAS statistical software, and map populations using GIS.
Summarize statistics from SAS outputs for USDA research grant investigating WIC and food insecurity.

Research laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage RT-PCR screening of candidate genes.
Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Use many scientific techniques to collect and analyze RNA, DNA, and specific proteins from lines of potato plants.
Preform computational molecular simulation of DNA and RNA.
Retain patients from previous research projects and update database using patient histories and correlating pertinent medical data.
Work with non human primates in an HIV testing laboratory.

Graduate research student vs research laboratory technician skills

Common graduate research student skills

Lab Equipment, 11%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Python, 6%
C++, 5%
Chemistry, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%

Common research laboratory technician skills

Patients, 9%
Chemistry, 7%
Laboratory Equipment, 7%
Cell Culture, 5%
Research Data, 4%
Research Projects, 4%

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Graduate Research Student vs Research Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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