Laboratory associate vs laboratory technician

The differences between laboratory associates and 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 a laboratory technician. Additionally, a laboratory associate has an average salary of $42,756, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a laboratory associate include patients, specimen handling and phlebotomy. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.

Laboratory associate vs laboratory technician overview

	Laboratory Associate	Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$42,756	$40,038
Hourly rate	$20.56	$19.25
Growth rate	-	4%
Number of jobs	50,050	84,357
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	12	12

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 technician do?

Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.

Laboratory associate vs laboratory technician salary

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

	Laboratory Associate	Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$42,756	$40,038
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $63,000	Between $27,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	New Brunswick, NJ	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Meta	Tenaska
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between laboratory associate and laboratory technician education

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

	Laboratory Associate	Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	New York University	New York University

Laboratory associate vs laboratory technician demographics

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

	Laboratory Associate	Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 42.2% Female, 57.8%	Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between laboratory associate and laboratory technician 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 technician example responsibilities.

Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Analyze and paid attention to detail as well as demonstrated excellent organization skills, manual dexterity and good eyesight.
Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate with EKG equipment and notify physician is something appears to be wrong.
Monitor several color formulations being manufacture in the production department to ensure manufacturing procedures are follow per ISO and GMP.
Perform age appropriate phlebotomy while working with critically or terminally ill patients, with careful respect for individual and/or cultural concerns.

Laboratory associate vs laboratory technician skills

Common laboratory associate skills

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

Common laboratory technician skills

Patients, 17%
Lab Equipment, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Basic Math, 4%
Test Results, 4%
Math, 4%

Laboratory Associate vs. similar jobs

Laboratory Associate related careers

Laboratory Associate related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Laboratory Associate
Laboratory Associate vs Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs