Laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst

The differences between laboratory technicians and laboratory analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a laboratory technician, becoming a laboratory analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory analyst has an average salary of $44,024, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a laboratory technician include patients, lab equipment and customer service. The most important skills for a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.

Laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst overview

	Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Yearly salary	$40,038	$44,024
Hourly rate	$19.25	$21.17
Growth rate	4%	9%
Number of jobs	84,357	44,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	44	38
Years of experience	12	2

What does a laboratory technician do?

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.

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst salary

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

	Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average salary	$40,038	$44,024
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $58,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Alaska	New York
Best paying company	Tenaska	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Health Care	Pharmaceutical

Differences between laboratory technician and laboratory analyst education

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

	Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	New York University	Stanford University

Laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory technicians' and laboratory analysts' demographics:

	Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average age	44	38
Gender ratio	Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7%	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between laboratory technician and laboratory analyst duties and responsibilities

Laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Analyze and paid attention to detail as well as demonstrated excellent organization skills, manual dexterity and good eyesight.
Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate with EKG equipment and notify physician is something appears to be wrong.
Monitor several color formulations being manufacture in the production department to ensure manufacturing procedures are follow per ISO and GMP.
Perform age appropriate phlebotomy while working with critically or terminally ill patients, with careful respect for individual and/or cultural concerns.

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst skills

Common laboratory technician skills

Patients, 17%
Lab Equipment, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Basic Math, 4%
Test Results, 4%
Math, 4%

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

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Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician vs Laboratory Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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