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Microscopist vs lead field technician

The differences between microscopists and lead 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 a lead field technician. Additionally, a microscopist has an average salary of $51,773, which is higher than the $40,838 average annual salary of a lead field technician.

The top three skills for a microscopist include chemistry, asbestos and electron microscope. The most important skills for a lead field technician are customer service, data collection, and GPS.

Microscopist vs lead field technician overview

MicroscopistLead Field Technician
Yearly salary$51,773$40,838
Hourly rate$24.89$19.63
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs7,51388,080
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Microscopist vs lead field technician salary

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

MicroscopistLead Field Technician
Average salary$51,773$40,838
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $85,000Between $24,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City-Oakland, CA
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-Schneider Electric Industrial Services
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between microscopist and lead field technician education

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

MicroscopistLead Field Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorBiologyBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Microscopist vs lead field technician demographics

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

MicroscopistLead Field Technician
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 56.9% Female, 43.1%Male, 87.2% Female, 12.8%
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, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between microscopist and lead 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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Lead field technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead training, operations, user hardware and software support, and logbook oversight.
  • Work directly with Crestron representatives to insure proper deployment and operations of all control devices and A/V systems.
  • Navigate in remote forest habitat with compass, aerial map, and GPS unit.
  • Call in on a very complex issue involving some RF interference at a local TV station.
  • Determine the best course of action to resolve loss of connectivity, virus attack or RF issues.
  • Provide training, schedule projects and ensure all new PC's are imaged and ready for delivery.
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Microscopist vs lead field technician skills

Common microscopist skills
  • Chemistry, 32%
  • Asbestos, 20%
  • Electron Microscope, 10%
  • QC, 10%
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy, 6%
  • PLM, 4%
Common lead field technician skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Data Collection, 13%
  • GPS, 7%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
  • Fiber Optic, 3%

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