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The differences between laboratory support technicians and laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a laboratory support technician and a laboratory technician. Additionally, a laboratory technician has an average salary of $40,038, which is higher than the $36,799 average annual salary of a laboratory support technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory support technician include patients, phlebotomy and customer service. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Laboratory Support Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $36,799 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $17.69 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | - | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 131,128 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A laboratory support technician is responsible for assisting scientists and medical professionals in conducting experiments and laboratory examinations. Laboratory support technicians organize samples, label them accurately, and record the results timely on the system. They also ensure that all the laboratory tools and equipment are sterilized and well-maintained, avoiding possible contaminations that may affect the accuracy of deliverables. A laboratory support technician coordinates with the patients for appointments, releasing of medical results, and applying scientific methods on evaluating data. They may also perform administrative and clerical duties as needed under the supervision of a head laboratory technician.
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 support technicians and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Support Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $36,799 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $50,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Thousand Oaks, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Sandia National Labs | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory support technician and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Support Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between laboratory support technicians' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Support Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.4% Female, 54.6% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 8% | 8% |