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The differences between laboratory animal technicians and surgery technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a laboratory animal technician and a surgery technician. Additionally, a surgery technician has an average salary of $41,646, 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 surgery technician are patients, patient care, and surgical procedures.
| Laboratory Animal Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $30,382 | $41,646 |
| Hourly rate | $14.61 | $20.02 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 63,768 | 83,376 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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 surgery technician plays a vital role in the success of medical surgeries. They are primarily in charge of performing essential support tasks such as sanitizing and preparing operating rooms, setting-up equipment, sterilizing instruments, and ensuring that supplies are accurate and adequate. They also prepare patients before surgeries, assist surgeons by handing out supplies or tools, and participate in transporting the patients from one room to another. Moreover, they must maintain an active communication line with nurses and surgeons, coordinating every step of the way.
Laboratory animal technicians and surgery technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Animal Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Average salary | $30,382 | $41,646 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $40,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a laboratory animal technician and a surgery technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Animal Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | Ohio State University | Emory University |
Here are the differences between laboratory animal technicians' and surgery technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Animal Technician | Surgery Technician | |
| Average age | 32 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% | Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7% |
| 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, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |