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The differences between laboratory scientists and laboratory supervisors 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 scientist, becoming a laboratory supervisor takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory supervisor has an average salary of $67,361, which is higher than the $66,249 average annual salary of a laboratory scientist.
The top three skills for a laboratory scientist include chemistry, ASCP and laboratory procedures. The most important skills for a laboratory supervisor are clinical laboratory, patients, and chemistry.
| Laboratory Scientist | Laboratory Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $66,249 | $67,361 |
| Hourly rate | $31.85 | $32.39 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 83,505 | 49,957 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A laboratory scientist specializes in conducting research and experiments for a company or an academic institution. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around gathering and labeling samples, documenting data and progress, reviewing results, and even maintaining the cleanliness of the laboratory and its apparatus. There are also instances when they have to collaborate with other scientists, report progress, and even contribute them to different publications. Furthermore, a laboratory scientist may supervise less experienced colleagues, all while implementing the safety policies and regulations of the laboratory to maintain a safe and productive work environment.
The primary job of laboratory supervisors is to oversee the daily operations of laboratories. They are responsible for facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results. Other responsibilities include supervising personnel, managing the operating budget of the laboratory, and hiring employees. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for overseeing quality assurance and enforcing practices to ensure quality control within the laboratory. Aside from these tasks, they also manage the acquisition of laboratory equipment and supplies and resolve any technical or administrative issues within the laboratory.
Laboratory scientists and laboratory supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Scientist | Laboratory Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $66,249 | $67,361 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $93,000 | Between $47,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Chevron |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory scientist and a laboratory supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Scientist | Laboratory Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between laboratory scientists' and laboratory supervisors' demographics:
| Laboratory Scientist | Laboratory Supervisor | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0% | Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |