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Microscopist vs environmental technician

The differences between microscopists and environmental 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 technician. Additionally, a microscopist has an average salary of $51,773, which is higher than the $39,690 average annual salary of an environmental technician.

The top three skills for a microscopist include chemistry, asbestos and electron microscope. The most important skills for an environmental technician are patients, OSHA, and hazardous materials.

Microscopist vs environmental technician overview

MicroscopistEnvironmental Technician
Yearly salary$51,773$39,690
Hourly rate$24.89$19.08
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs7,51343,079
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Microscopist vs environmental technician salary

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

MicroscopistEnvironmental Technician
Average salary$51,773$39,690
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $85,000Between $30,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City-Danbury, CT
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-City of Detroit
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between microscopist and environmental technician education

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

MicroscopistEnvironmental Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBiologyEnvironmental Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityDuke University

Microscopist vs environmental technician demographics

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

MicroscopistEnvironmental Technician
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 56.9% Female, 43.1%Male, 73.3% Female, 26.7%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between microscopist and environmental 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 technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead a crew of twelve techs in various archaeological excavations.
  • Manage designated areas to ensure proper cleanliness and safety.
  • Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
  • Provide contractor oversight, including monitoring of technical performance of sub-contractors managing remedial cleanup projects involving hazardous waste.
  • Assist with environmental projects such as groundwater monitoring, and spatial analysis using ArcGIS.
  • Perform physical labor associate with cleanup activities, sample collection, waste removal and other remediation service.
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Microscopist vs environmental technician skills

Common microscopist skills
  • Chemistry, 32%
  • Asbestos, 20%
  • Electron Microscope, 10%
  • QC, 10%
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy, 6%
  • PLM, 4%
Common environmental technician skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • OSHA, 7%
  • Hazardous Materials, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Patient Rooms, 5%
  • HAZWOPER, 4%

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