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The differences between laboratory technicians and quality laboratory technicians 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 quality laboratory technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a laboratory technician has an average salary of $40,038, which is higher than the $38,902 average annual salary of a quality laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory technician include patients, lab equipment and customer service. The most important skills for a quality laboratory technician are lab equipment, quality lab, and test results.
| Laboratory Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,038 | $38,902 |
| Hourly rate | $19.25 | $18.70 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 84,357 | 104,887 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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.
A Quality Laboratory Technician ensures that lab procedures and equipment meet a certain standard, as well as monitors production. They maintain quality service and a safe and healthy work environment through following organization standards.
Laboratory technicians and quality laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,038 | $38,902 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $58,000 | Between $31,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Hillsboro, OR |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Idaho |
| Best paying company | Tenaska | OMNOVA Solutions |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a laboratory technician and a quality laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between laboratory technicians' and quality laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9% |
| 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, 9.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |