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The differences between laboratory animal technicians and research technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a laboratory animal technician, becoming a research technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research technician has an average salary of $43,034, which is higher than the $30,382 average annual salary of a laboratory animal technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory animal technician include animal handling, animal husbandry and research animals. The most important skills for a research technician are patients, data collection, and cell culture.
| Laboratory Animal Technician | Research Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $30,382 | $43,034 |
| Hourly rate | $14.61 | $20.69 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 63,768 | 64,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 32 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
A laboratory animal technician is responsible for conducting animal research studies by observing and analyzing animal nature and conditions. Laboratory animal technicians maintain the safety and cleanliness of animal cages, supply them food and water, and administer medications as needed. They also take samples for laboratory examinations, monitor the adequacy of inventories, and sterilize tools and equipment. A laboratory animal technician writes finding reports, logs information on the database, and coordinates with other animal experts for study validations.
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.
Laboratory animal technicians and research technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Animal Technician | Research Technician | |
| Average salary | $30,382 | $43,034 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $40,000 | Between $31,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | Pasadena, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a laboratory animal technician and a research technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Animal Technician | Research Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Ohio State University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between laboratory animal technicians' and research technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Animal Technician | Research Technician | |
| Average age | 32 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 9% | 6% |