Laboratory director vs laboratory technician

The differences between laboratory directors and laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a laboratory director, becoming a laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory director has an average salary of $92,971, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a laboratory director include clinical laboratory, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.

Laboratory director vs laboratory technician overview

	Laboratory Director	Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$92,971	$40,038
Hourly rate	$44.70	$19.25
Growth rate	28%	4%
Number of jobs	59,500	84,357
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	47	44
Years of experience	6	12

What does a laboratory director do?

A Laboratory Director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratory. They examine data, create reports, manage the staff, and ensure that the lab facility operates in accordance with the regulatory provisions of the government and the organization.

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 director vs laboratory technician salary

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

	Laboratory Director	Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$92,971	$40,038
Salary range	Between $55,000 And $156,000	Between $27,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Delaware	Alaska
Best paying company	Reed Smith	Tenaska
Best paying industry	Media	Health Care

Differences between laboratory director and laboratory technician education

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

	Laboratory Director	Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	New York University

Laboratory director vs laboratory technician demographics

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

	Laboratory Director	Laboratory Technician
Average age	47	44
Gender ratio	Male, 55.9% Female, 44.1%	Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 8.1% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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	12%	8%

Differences between laboratory director and laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Laboratory director example responsibilities.

Perform and manage quality control, maintenance and calibration of all equipment in hematology, coagulation and urinalysis.
Set up forensic DNA laboratory, train laboratory technicians in advance molecular techniques, and manage day-to-day activities of forensic DNA laboratory
Consult patients on various laboratory procedures involve in IVF.
Supervise 8 managers and 130 full-time employees (FTEs).
Focus on sterility, endotoxin, water and bioburden testing.
Restore compliance integrity of lab back to full capacity in time for JCAHO inspection.

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 director vs laboratory technician skills

Common laboratory director skills

Clinical Laboratory, 11%
Patients, 10%
Patient Care, 9%
CLIA, 6%
Test Results, 6%
Laboratory Services, 4%

Common laboratory technician skills

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

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Laboratory Director
Laboratory Director vs Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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