Microscopist vs pipeline technician

The differences between microscopists and pipeline 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 pipeline technician. Additionally, a microscopist has an average salary of $51,773, which is higher than the $40,614 average annual salary of a pipeline technician.

The top three skills for a microscopist include chemistry, asbestos and electron microscope. The most important skills for a pipeline technician are DOT, safety equipment, and excavations.

Microscopist vs pipeline technician overview

	Microscopist	Pipeline Technician
Yearly salary	$51,773	$40,614
Hourly rate	$24.89	$19.53
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	7,513	11,313
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 83%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Microscopist vs pipeline technician salary

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

	Microscopist	Pipeline Technician
Average salary	$51,773	$40,614
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $85,000	Between $26,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between microscopist and pipeline technician education

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

	Microscopist	Pipeline Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 83%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Microscopist vs pipeline technician demographics

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

	Microscopist	Pipeline Technician
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratio	Black 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, 9.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between microscopist and pipeline 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.

Pipeline technician example responsibilities.

Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
Establish and maintain spatial databases using ESRI ArcGIS.
Receive training in management, civil rights, computer security, and ArcGIS.
Monitor the gas flow rates from the meter to assure the pigs will launch and be receive.
Keep general area clean per OSHA regulations wear the basic, PPE on pipeline construction site hard hat.
Perform daily, weekly and annual maintenance on pumps, compressors, generators, boosters, flanges and pigs.

Microscopist vs pipeline technician skills

Common microscopist skills

Chemistry, 32%
Asbestos, 20%
Electron Microscope, 10%
QC, 10%
Transmission Electron Microscopy, 6%
PLM, 4%

Common pipeline technician skills

DOT, 7%
Safety Equipment, 6%
Excavations, 6%
Pump Stations, 6%
Pipeline Operations, 4%
Routine Maintenance, 4%

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Microscopist vs Pipeline Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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