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The differences between laboratory research assistants and biology laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a laboratory research assistant, becoming a biology laboratory assistant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a laboratory research assistant has an average salary of $36,537, which is higher than the $34,240 average annual salary of a biology laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a laboratory research assistant include data collection, patients and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a biology laboratory assistant are lab equipment, biology laboratory, and chemistry.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Biology Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $36,537 | $34,240 |
| Hourly rate | $17.57 | $16.46 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 87,343 | 48,958 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
A biology laboratory assistant is in charge of assisting scientists or researchers and performing laboratory support tasks on a daily basis. Their responsibilities include setting up and sanitizing equipment, preparing samples, maintaining documentation of all experiments and procedures, writing laboratory reports, and running errands as needed. There are also instances where they must update databases, answer calls and correspondence, and grade student papers. Furthermore, a biology laboratory assistant must maintain the cleanliness of laboratories, all while implementing its policies and regulations.
Laboratory research assistants and biology laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Biology Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $36,537 | $34,240 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $53,000 | Between $22,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Bridgewater, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | New York University | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a laboratory research assistant and a biology laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Biology Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between laboratory research assistants' and biology laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Biology Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% | Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 14.9% White, 50.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |