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The differences between laboratory interns and laboratory research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a laboratory internship, becoming a laboratory research assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory research assistant has an average salary of $36,537, which is higher than the $35,305 average annual salary of a laboratory internship.
The top three skills for a laboratory internship include lab procedures, chemistry and python. The most important skills for a laboratory research assistant are data collection, patients, and laboratory equipment.
| Laboratory Internship | Laboratory Research Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $35,305 | $36,537 |
| Hourly rate | $16.97 | $17.57 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 90,970 | 87,343 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A laboratory intern is responsible for assisting laboratory operations and perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow all the laboratory processes, document their observations, and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results. They must have excellent knowledge of scientific procedures, demonstrating their class learnings to practical applications. A laboratory intern must be detail-oriented, especially on conducting and verifying the accuracy of research materials. It is also required for a laboratory intern to be a fast-learner, understanding the scientific complexities to master various approaches.
A laboratory research assistant is an individual who performs lab experiments and carries out projects designed by senior lab staff members. Laboratory research assistants design and conduct experiments using biohazards and other dangerous materials to gain information and test scientific processes. They must write detailed reports of their research and experiments and then deliver these reports in written and verbal forms. Laboratory research assistants may also work in different settings such as medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies.
Laboratory interns and laboratory research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Internship | Laboratory Research Assistant | |
| Average salary | $35,305 | $36,537 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $48,000 | Between $24,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | New York University |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a laboratory internship and a laboratory research assistant in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Internship | Laboratory Research Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between laboratory interns' and laboratory research assistants' demographics:
| Laboratory Internship | Laboratory Research Assistant | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.8% Female, 52.2% | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 18.2% White, 49.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |