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The differences between laboratory associates and assistant laboratory 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 associate and an assistant laboratory technician. Additionally, a laboratory associate has an average salary of $42,756, which is higher than the $35,556 average annual salary of an assistant laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory associate include patients, specimen handling and phlebotomy. The most important skills for an assistant laboratory technician are patients, ladders, and computer lab.
| Laboratory Associate | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,756 | $35,556 |
| Hourly rate | $20.56 | $17.09 |
| Growth rate | - | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 50,050 | 116,488 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A laboratory associate's responsibilities revolve around preparing test samples and subjecting them into different examination processes for scientific purposes. Aside from performing extensive analysis, they are also responsible for recording data, reviewing findings, collaborating with other scientists, and producing various reports and presentations. A laboratory associate can work for an institution or private company; they may also choose to contribute their studies in different publications and research activities. Furthermore, as a laboratory practitioner, it is essential to adhere to all the laboratory safety policies and regulations, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment.
The primary responsibility of a lab assistant is to help scientists and technologists. Lab assistants are assigned to prepare and monitor tests and experiments in research or medical laboratory. They analyze data and establish reports based on test results. Also, they set up the tools and equipment used in the lab. It is also part of their job to clean the lab rooms--knowledge in lab management, communication skills, attention to detail, and medical-related management.
Laboratory associates and assistant laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Associate | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,756 | $35,556 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $63,000 | Between $21,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Brunswick, NJ | Manchester, NH |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Patterson-UTI Energy |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | - |
There are a few differences between a laboratory associate and an assistant laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Associate | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between laboratory associates' and assistant laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Associate | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.2% Female, 57.8% | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.2% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |