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Microscopist vs archaeological field technician

The differences between microscopists and archaeological field technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a microscopist and an archaeological field technician. Additionally, a microscopist has an average salary of $51,773, which is higher than the $41,352 average annual salary of an archaeological field technician.

The top three skills for a microscopist include chemistry, asbestos and electron microscope. The most important skills for an archaeological field technician are GPS, data collection, and data recovery.

Microscopist vs archaeological field technician overview

MicroscopistArchaeological Field Technician
Yearly salary$51,773$41,352
Hourly rate$24.89$19.88
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs7,51360,923
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Microscopist vs archaeological field technician salary

Microscopists and archaeological field technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

MicroscopistArchaeological Field Technician
Average salary$51,773$41,352
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $85,000Between $33,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-ERM
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between microscopist and archaeological field technician education

There are a few differences between a microscopist and an archaeological field technician in terms of educational background:

MicroscopistArchaeological Field Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorBiologyAnthropology
Most common collegeStanford UniversityHarvard University

Microscopist vs archaeological field technician demographics

Here are the differences between microscopists' and archaeological field technicians' demographics:

MicroscopistArchaeological Field Technician
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 56.9% Female, 43.1%Male, 50.4% Female, 49.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between microscopist and archaeological field technician duties and responsibilities

Microscopist example responsibilities.

  • Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
  • Design and perform research studies on particle chemistry.
  • Perform QC analysis for accuracy.
  • Quantify asbestos levels in air and building material samples for state and federal environmental remediation projects.
  • Prepare bulk asbestos samples, analyze samples utilizing polarize light microscopy with dispersion staining and enter sample results into data system.
  • Assist HAZWOPER technicians with logistical support for operations on project operations including research of facilities and vendors need for project completion.
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Archaeological field technician example responsibilities.

  • Utilize ARCGIS to keep track of areas cover by survey and manage the project.
  • Manage network reliability, capacity and performance in conjunction with RF engineering establish guidelines.
  • Help establish and implement GPS and GIS technologies, replacing outdate survey and mapping methodologies.
  • Input data and create maps using ArcView 3.2 and ArcGIS 9.0.
  • Conduct literature reviews including creating GIS maps.
  • Document sites using hand drawings, GPS unit and digital camera.
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Microscopist vs archaeological field technician skills

Common microscopist skills
  • Chemistry, 32%
  • Asbestos, 20%
  • Electron Microscope, 10%
  • QC, 10%
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy, 6%
  • PLM, 4%
Common archaeological field technician skills
  • GPS, 24%
  • Data Collection, 11%
  • Data Recovery, 9%
  • GIS, 7%
  • Excavations, 7%
  • Sketch, 6%

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