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The differences between laboratory technicians and senior 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 a senior laboratory technician. Additionally, a senior laboratory technician has an average salary of $48,530, 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 senior laboratory technician are lab equipment, patients, and research projects.
| Laboratory Technician | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,038 | $48,530 |
| Hourly rate | $19.25 | $23.33 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 84,357 | 63,876 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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.
A Senior Laboratory Technician is responsible for supervising and coordinating scientific investigations and experiments. They supervise staff, provide technical support, and construct, maintain, and operate standard laboratory equipment.
Laboratory technicians and senior laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Technician | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,038 | $48,530 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $58,000 | Between $34,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Tenaska | Genentech |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a laboratory technician and a senior laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Technician | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between laboratory technicians' and senior laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Technician | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 58.6% Female, 41.4% |
| 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, 10.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |