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Microscopist vs environmental field technician

The differences between microscopists and environmental 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 environmental field technician. Additionally, a microscopist has an average salary of $51,773, which is higher than the $38,450 average annual salary of an environmental field technician.

The top three skills for a microscopist include chemistry, asbestos and electron microscope. The most important skills for an environmental field technician are OSHA, data collection, and HAZWOPER.

Microscopist vs environmental field technician overview

MicroscopistEnvironmental Field Technician
Yearly salary$51,773$38,450
Hourly rate$24.89$18.49
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs7,51376,665
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Microscopist vs environmental field technician salary

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

MicroscopistEnvironmental Field Technician
Average salary$51,773$38,450
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $85,000Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between microscopist and environmental field technician education

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

MicroscopistEnvironmental Field Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBiologyEnvironmental Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityDuke University

Microscopist vs environmental field technician demographics

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

MicroscopistEnvironmental Field Technician
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 56.9% Female, 43.1%Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between microscopist and environmental 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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Environmental field technician example responsibilities.

  • Provide contractor oversight, including monitoring of technical performance of sub-contractors managing remedial cleanup projects involving hazardous waste.
  • Complete field forms, draw sketch maps, profiles and plan view field drawings.
  • Identify and correct safety shortfalls in confine space entry, explosive atmosphere, and fall protection to ensure OSHA compliance.
  • Create sketch maps of artifact distribution, and site features.
  • Read topographic maps in addition to using hand hold and tablet base GPS units.
  • Insulate and push copper thru a chase along with ac wire and drain line.
  • Show more

Microscopist vs environmental field technician skills

Common microscopist skills
  • Chemistry, 32%
  • Asbestos, 20%
  • Electron Microscope, 10%
  • QC, 10%
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy, 6%
  • PLM, 4%
Common environmental field technician skills
  • OSHA, 11%
  • Data Collection, 9%
  • HAZWOPER, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • GPS, 5%

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