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The differences between microbiological laboratory technicians and chemistry laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a microbiological laboratory technician, becoming a chemistry laboratory assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a microbiological laboratory technician has an average salary of $38,713, which is higher than the $30,971 average annual salary of a chemistry laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a microbiological laboratory technician include microbiology lab, laboratory procedures and aseptic technique. The most important skills for a chemistry laboratory assistant are lab equipment, lab safety, and chemistry lab.
| Microbiological Laboratory Technician | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $38,713 | $30,971 |
| Hourly rate | $18.61 | $14.89 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 44,567 | 40,180 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A microbiological laboratory technician specializes in handling and testing samples, ensuring accuracy and safety. Often working under the supervision of a more experienced scientist, a microbiological laboratory technician has the responsibility to operate various devices and machines, record all progress and data, review results, and produce reports and documentation. There are also instances when a technician must submit results within deadlines or follow a senior scientist's directives. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to the safety policies and rules of the laboratory at all times.
Chemical Laboratory Assistants are professionals who help researchers and scientists in performing lab experiments and tests. Their tasks involve the maintenance, cleanliness, or sterilization of laboratory equipment or instruments. They perform physical or chemical laboratory tests assisting scientists in the quantitative or qualitative analyses of liquids, gaseous materials, and solids. The necessary skills and knowledge for this job include chemistry, lab reporting, chemical solutions, and safety procedures.
Microbiological laboratory technicians and chemistry laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiological Laboratory Technician | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $38,713 | $30,971 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $16,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlington, MA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Pace University |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between a microbiological laboratory technician and a chemistry laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Microbiological Laboratory Technician | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between microbiological laboratory technicians' and chemistry laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Microbiological Laboratory Technician | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.0% Female, 64.0% | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 15.2% White, 51.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% | Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 9.5% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |