Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between microbiologists and chemistry laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a microbiologist and a chemistry laboratory assistant. Additionally, a microbiologist has an average salary of $54,620, which is higher than the $30,971 average annual salary of a chemistry laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a microbiologist include lab equipment, microbiology lab and environmental monitoring. The most important skills for a chemistry laboratory assistant are lab equipment, lab safety, and chemistry lab.
| Microbiologist | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $54,620 | $30,971 |
| Hourly rate | $26.26 | $14.89 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 11,444 | 40,180 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
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.
Microbiologists and chemistry laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiologist | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $54,620 | $30,971 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $75,000 | Between $16,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Battelle | Pace University |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Education |
There are a few differences between a microbiologist and a chemistry laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Microbiologist | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between microbiologists' and chemistry laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Microbiologist | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 10% | 9% |