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Microscopist vs hazardous material technician

The differences between microscopists and hazardous material 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 a hazardous material technician. Additionally, a microscopist has an average salary of $51,773, which is higher than the $48,403 average annual salary of a hazardous material technician.

The top three skills for a microscopist include chemistry, asbestos and electron microscope. The most important skills for a hazardous material technician are safety procedures, hazardous materials incidents, and hazardous waste.

Microscopist vs hazardous material technician overview

MicroscopistHazardous Material Technician
Yearly salary$51,773$48,403
Hourly rate$24.89$23.27
Growth rate9%-
Number of jobs7,51325,655
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age3843
Years of experience22

Microscopist vs hazardous material technician salary

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

MicroscopistHazardous Material Technician
Average salary$51,773$48,403
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $85,000Between $31,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between microscopist and hazardous material technician education

There are a few differences between a microscopist and a hazardous material technician in terms of educational background:

MicroscopistHazardous Material Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorBiologyFire Science And Protection
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Microscopist vs hazardous material technician demographics

Here are the differences between microscopists' and hazardous material technicians' demographics:

MicroscopistHazardous Material Technician
Average age3843
Gender ratioMale, 56.9% Female, 43.1%Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 26.0% Asian, 2.2% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.2%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between microscopist and hazardous material 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.
  • Show more

Hazardous material technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage, schedule, and analyze, logistics in highly specialize local, national and international supply chain logistics department.
  • Develop and manage explosive inspection and quality assurance processes and provide SME guidance for management of hazardous and non-hazardous material storage.
  • Lead a mold remediation team as well perform asbestos abatement along with general demolition and reconstruction in residential and commercial structures.
  • Assist in team training and OSHA compliance.
  • Ensure MSDS are provided for all hazardous materials carry or used.
  • Conduct HAZCOM training IAW 29 CFR for all personnel handling or using hazardous material.
  • Show more

Microscopist vs hazardous material technician skills

Common microscopist skills
  • Chemistry, 32%
  • Asbestos, 20%
  • Electron Microscope, 10%
  • QC, 10%
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy, 6%
  • PLM, 4%
Common hazardous material technician skills
  • Safety Procedures, 15%
  • Hazardous Materials Incidents, 13%
  • Hazardous Waste, 11%
  • Hazmat, 10%
  • Emergency Response, 8%
  • OSHA, 6%

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