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The differences between laboratory technicians and assistant 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 technician and an assistant laboratory technician. Additionally, a laboratory technician has an average salary of $40,038, which is higher than the $35,556 average annual salary of an assistant laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory technician include patients, lab equipment and customer service. The most important skills for an assistant laboratory technician are patients, ladders, and computer lab.
| Laboratory Technician | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,038 | $35,556 |
| Hourly rate | $19.25 | $17.09 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 84,357 | 116,488 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
The primary responsibility of a lab assistant is to help scientists and technologists. Lab assistants are assigned to prepare and monitor tests and experiments in research or medical laboratory. They analyze data and establish reports based on test results. Also, they set up the tools and equipment used in the lab. It is also part of their job to clean the lab rooms--knowledge in lab management, communication skills, attention to detail, and medical-related management.
Laboratory technicians and assistant laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Technician | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,038 | $35,556 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $58,000 | Between $21,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Manchester, NH |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Tenaska | Patterson-UTI Energy |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a laboratory technician and an assistant laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Technician | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between laboratory technicians' and assistant laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Technician | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |