Laboratory associate vs laboratory analyst

The differences between laboratory associates and laboratory analysts 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 associate, becoming a laboratory analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory analyst has an average salary of $44,024, which is higher than the $42,756 average annual salary of a laboratory associate.

The top three skills for a laboratory associate include patients, specimen handling and phlebotomy. The most important skills for a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.

Laboratory associate vs laboratory analyst overview

	Laboratory Associate	Laboratory Analyst
Yearly salary	$42,756	$44,024
Hourly rate	$20.56	$21.17
Growth rate	-	9%
Number of jobs	50,050	44,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	44	38
Years of experience	12	2

What does a laboratory associate do?

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.

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Laboratory associate vs laboratory analyst salary

Laboratory associates and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laboratory Associate	Laboratory Analyst
Average salary	$42,756	$44,024
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $63,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	New Brunswick, NJ	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Alaska	New York
Best paying company	Meta	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between laboratory associate and laboratory analyst education

There are a few differences between a laboratory associate and a laboratory analyst in terms of educational background:

	Laboratory Associate	Laboratory Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	New York University	Stanford University

Laboratory associate vs laboratory analyst demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory associates' and laboratory analysts' demographics:

	Laboratory Associate	Laboratory Analyst
Average age	44	38
Gender ratio	Male, 42.2% Female, 57.8%	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between laboratory associate and laboratory analyst duties and responsibilities

Laboratory associate example responsibilities.

Manage supply inventory and maintain cleanliness.
Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Direct patient care, phlebotomy, medical billing, clinical laboratory specimen collection, reference laboratory coordinator, specimen courier.
Operate combines to harvest crops for yield-testing field crops.
Perform fluorescence in situ hybridization in a CLIA certify lab.
Utilize CoPath for receiving specimen and reporting out of test results.

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Laboratory associate vs laboratory analyst skills

Common laboratory associate skills

Patients, 10%
Specimen Handling, 6%
Phlebotomy, 6%
Chemistry, 6%
Customer Service, 4%
Patient Care, 4%

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

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Laboratory Associate
Laboratory Associate vs Laboratory Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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