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Lead laboratory technician vs technician

The differences between lead laboratory technicians and 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 lead laboratory technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a lead laboratory technician has an average salary of $54,230, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

The top three skills for a lead laboratory technician include patients, lab equipment and customer service. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Lead laboratory technician vs technician overview

Lead Laboratory TechnicianTechnician
Yearly salary$54,230$38,045
Hourly rate$26.07$18.29
Growth rate3%1%
Number of jobs77,096596,842
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4440
Years of experience122

What does a lead laboratory technician do?

A Lead Laboratory Technician coordinates the operations of a laboratory. They supervise the preparation of specimens for tests, collection of blood, examination of blood samples, and other duties performed by the technician team.

What does a technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Lead laboratory technician vs technician salary

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

Lead Laboratory TechnicianTechnician
Average salary$54,230$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $86,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySouth San Francisco, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyHawaii
Best paying companyMetaMicrosoft
Best paying industryManufacturingTelecommunication

Differences between lead laboratory technician and technician education

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

Lead Laboratory TechnicianTechnician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorBiologyBusiness
Most common collegeNew York University-

Lead laboratory technician vs technician demographics

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

Lead Laboratory TechnicianTechnician
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 58.2% Female, 41.8%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%2%

Differences between lead laboratory technician and technician duties and responsibilities

Lead laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
  • Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments.
  • Assist with FDA and OSHA audits, coordinate the center for all audits and inspections.
  • Accession patient information, doctor information, and testing information accurately and promptly into the NovoPath LIS system.
  • Develop and execute IQ/OQ/PQ at manufacturing site.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, verify and calibrate laboratory equipment.
  • Show more

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Lead laboratory technician vs technician skills

Common lead laboratory technician skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Lab Equipment, 11%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Ongoing Maintenance, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Chemistry, 4%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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