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The differences between laboratory interns and laboratory technicians 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 technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory technician has an average salary of $40,038, 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 technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Laboratory Internship | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,305 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $16.97 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 90,970 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
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 interns and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Internship | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,305 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $48,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory internship and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Internship | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Cornell University | New York University |
Here are the differences between laboratory interns' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Internship | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.8% Female, 52.2% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| 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, 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 | 6% | 8% |