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The differences between microbiology technicians and laboratory technicians 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 a laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a microbiology technician has an average salary of $40,084, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a microbiology technician include lab equipment, test results and laboratory procedures. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Microbiology Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,084 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $19.27 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 25,704 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
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 technicians and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiology Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,084 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Central Islip, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Thomas Jefferson University | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a microbiology technician and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Microbiology Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Cornell University | New York University |
Here are the differences between microbiology technicians' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Microbiology Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.8% Female, 59.2% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| 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, 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 | 6% | 8% |