Laboratory research assistant vs research laboratory technician

The differences between laboratory research assistants and research laboratory technicians 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 research laboratory technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research laboratory technician has an average salary of $38,308, which is higher than the $36,537 average annual salary of a laboratory research assistant.

The top three skills for a laboratory research assistant include data collection, patients and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.

Laboratory research assistant vs research laboratory technician overview

	Laboratory Research Assistant	Research Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$36,537	$38,308
Hourly rate	$17.57	$18.42
Growth rate	17%	9%
Number of jobs	87,343	86,476
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	38	40
Years of experience	2	4

What does a laboratory research assistant do?

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.

What does a research laboratory technician do?

Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.

Laboratory research assistant vs research laboratory technician salary

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

	Laboratory Research Assistant	Research Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$36,537	$38,308
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $53,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Chicago, IL
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Illinois
Best paying company	New York University	Accenture
Best paying industry	Education	Manufacturing

Differences between laboratory research assistant and research laboratory technician education

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

	Laboratory Research Assistant	Research Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Harvard University	Cornell University

Laboratory research assistant vs research laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory research assistants' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Laboratory Research Assistant	Research Laboratory Technician
Average age	38	40
Gender ratio	Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8%	Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0%
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, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between laboratory research assistant and research laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Laboratory research assistant example responsibilities.

Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
Maintain microbial culture and isolate and purify bacterial and viral DNA and RNA to study the genome of common pathogenic bacteria.
Perform protein extraction on larvae.
Perform biological assays, including ELISA and RT-PCR.
Gain extensive MLST, RT-PCR, conventional PCR, primer design and gel-electrophoresis experience.

Research laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage RT-PCR screening of candidate genes.
Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Use many scientific techniques to collect and analyze RNA, DNA, and specific proteins from lines of potato plants.
Preform computational molecular simulation of DNA and RNA.
Retain patients from previous research projects and update database using patient histories and correlating pertinent medical data.
Work with non human primates in an HIV testing laboratory.

Laboratory research assistant vs research laboratory technician skills

Common laboratory research assistant skills

Data Collection, 5%
Patients, 5%
Laboratory Equipment, 5%
Lab Procedures, 5%
Laboratory Techniques, 5%
Molecular Biology, 4%

Common research laboratory technician skills

Patients, 9%
Chemistry, 7%
Laboratory Equipment, 7%
Cell Culture, 5%
Research Data, 4%
Research Projects, 4%

Laboratory Research Assistant vs. similar jobs

Laboratory Research Assistant related careers

Laboratory Research Assistant related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Laboratory Research Assistant
Laboratory Research Assistant vs Research Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs