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The differences between microbiology technicians and microbiologists 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 microbiologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a microbiologist has an average salary of $54,620, 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 a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.
| Microbiology Technician | Microbiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $40,084 | $54,620 |
| Hourly rate | $19.27 | $26.26 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 25,704 | 11,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| 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.
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.
Microbiology technicians and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiology Technician | Microbiologist | |
| Average salary | $40,084 | $54,620 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $39,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Central Islip, NY | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Thomas Jefferson University | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a microbiology technician and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:
| Microbiology Technician | Microbiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between microbiology technicians' and microbiologists' demographics:
| Microbiology Technician | Microbiologist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.8% Female, 59.2% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| 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, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 10% |