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The differences between microbiology laboratory assistants and 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 microbiology laboratory assistant and a laboratory technician. Additionally, a laboratory technician has an average salary of $40,038, which is higher than the $32,736 average annual salary of a microbiology laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a microbiology laboratory assistant include patients, lab equipment and data entry. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,736 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $15.74 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 49,910 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Microbiology Laboratory Assistants are responsible for assisting laboratory technicians with sample preparation and workplace maintenance in the area of microbiology. Their duties include preparing samples for testing, maintaining laboratory inventory, reporting inventory shortages, and producing inventory reports. Besides that, they are involved in organizing laboratory areas, sterilizing laboratory equipment, and maintain testings log. Microbiology Laboratory Assistants also assist in equipment set up, results analysis, and sample classification. They continuously ensure the operational environment complies with health and safety standards.
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.
Microbiology laboratory assistants and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,736 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $48,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a microbiology laboratory assistant and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between microbiology laboratory assistants' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.2% Female, 66.8% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |