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The differences between graduate research students and research technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research technician has an average salary of $43,034, 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 technician are patients, data collection, and cell culture.
| Graduate Research Student | Research Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,658 | $43,034 |
| Hourly rate | $16.66 | $20.69 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 58,921 | 64,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Graduate research students and research technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graduate Research Student | Research Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,658 | $43,034 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $60,000 | Between $31,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Pasadena, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Capgemini | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Education | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a graduate research student and a research technician in terms of educational background:
| Graduate Research Student | Research Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between graduate research students' and research technicians' demographics:
| Graduate Research Student | Research Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% |
| 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, 12.0% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 16.5% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |