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The differences between microbiology technicians and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a microbiology technician, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assistant research scientist has an average salary of $62,780, which is higher than the $40,084 average annual salary of a microbiology technician.
The top three skills for a microbiology technician include lab equipment, test results and laboratory procedures. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Microbiology Technician | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $40,084 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $19.27 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 25,704 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A Microbiology Technician helps microbiologists and other scientists conduct experiments and other tests. They usually work in labs and examine microscopic subjects, such as diseases, fungi, and algae.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Microbiology technicians and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiology Technician | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $40,084 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Central Islip, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Thomas Jefferson University | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a microbiology technician and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Microbiology Technician | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between microbiology technicians' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Microbiology Technician | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.8% Female, 59.2% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 14.1% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |