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The differences between laboratory assistants and computer laboratory assistants 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 assistant, becoming a computer laboratory assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory assistant has an average salary of $34,168, which is higher than the $30,255 average annual salary of a computer laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a laboratory assistant include patients, phlebotomy and customer service. The most important skills for a computer laboratory assistant are computer software, powerpoint, and mac.
| Laboratory Assistant | Computer Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $34,168 | $30,255 |
| Hourly rate | $16.43 | $14.55 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 50,853 | 59,223 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Laboratory assistants work for researchers, scientists, or professors in the laboratory setting. They are expected to have a solid background in the field of study of the laboratory they are assigned to. They do a variety of tasks in the laboratory, such as setting up equipment, observing experiments, analyzing results, creating reports, and recommending improvements to the testing. They may also be assigned to clean and sanitize laboratory equipment as needed. Laboratory assistants should have good research skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills.
The duties of a computer laboratory assistant vary in their place or industry of employment. In a school setting, a computer laboratory assistant is in charge of assisting users by addressing their issues and concerns, performing corrective measures and repairs, offering suggestions to users, and implementing the laboratory's policies and regulations. Furthermore, there are instances when they have to troubleshoot errors, produce progress reports, maintain software and hardware, provide instructions to users, and consult a more experienced colleague when experiencing a complex issue.
Laboratory assistants and computer laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Assistant | Computer Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $34,168 | $30,255 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $44,000 | Between $24,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | UST Global | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant and a computer laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Assistant | Computer Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | New York University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between laboratory assistants' and computer laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Laboratory Assistant | Computer Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 13.9% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 14.6% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |