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Microscopist vs hazardous waste technician

The differences between microscopists and hazardous waste 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 waste technician. Additionally, a microscopist has an average salary of $51,773, which is higher than the $41,776 average annual salary of a hazardous waste technician.

The top three skills for a microscopist include chemistry, asbestos and electron microscope. The most important skills for a hazardous waste technician are DOT, OSHA, and HAZWOPER.

Microscopist vs hazardous waste technician overview

MicroscopistHazardous Waste Technician
Yearly salary$51,773$41,776
Hourly rate$24.89$20.08
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs7,51313,899
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Microscopist vs hazardous waste technician salary

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

MicroscopistHazardous Waste Technician
Average salary$51,773$41,776
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $85,000Between $26,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City-San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Tesla
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between microscopist and hazardous waste technician education

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

MicroscopistHazardous Waste Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBiologyEnvironmental Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Microscopist vs hazardous waste technician demographics

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

MicroscopistHazardous Waste Technician
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 56.9% Female, 43.1%Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between microscopist and hazardous waste 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 waste technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the logistics of incoming and outgoing shipments
  • Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
  • Pick up trash recycle plastic and pick up yard waste
  • Administer first aid and CPR.
  • Dispose waste and recycle items.
  • Used specific tools, ladders, and extinguishers.
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Microscopist vs hazardous waste technician skills

Common microscopist skills
  • Chemistry, 32%
  • Asbestos, 20%
  • Electron Microscope, 10%
  • QC, 10%
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy, 6%
  • PLM, 4%
Common hazardous waste technician skills
  • DOT, 13%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • HAZWOPER, 7%
  • Spill Response, 7%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Household Hazardous Waste, 5%

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