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The differences between laboratory research assistants and student research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a laboratory research assistant and a student research assistant. Additionally, a laboratory research assistant has an average salary of $36,537, which is higher than the $27,475 average annual salary of a student research assistant.
The top three skills for a laboratory research assistant include data collection, patients and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a student research assistant are lab equipment, student research, and data collection.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Student Research Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $36,537 | $27,475 |
| Hourly rate | $17.57 | $13.21 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 87,343 | 59,758 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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 student research assistant is responsible for supporting the school's research department on conducting various research tasks using the techniques and resources provided by the supervising faculty. Student research assistants collect and verify research data, interpret and document findings using research methodologies, organize and prepare research materials, write research reports, and provide recommendations to improve research strategies and techniques. A student research assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and be a fast-learner to interpret data within a specific time.
Laboratory research assistants and student research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Student Research Assistant | |
| Average salary | $36,537 | $27,475 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $53,000 | Between $19,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Fairbanks, AK |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | New York University | |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a laboratory research assistant and a student research assistant in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Student Research Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between laboratory research assistants' and student research assistants' demographics:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Student Research Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |