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The differences between molecular laboratory technologists and laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a molecular laboratory technologist, becoming a laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a molecular laboratory technologist has an average salary of $51,239, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a molecular laboratory technologist include next-generation sequencing, clinical laboratory and molecular biology. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Molecular Laboratory Technologist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,239 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $24.63 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | - | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 86,280 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A molecular laboratory technologist performs a number of duties to analyze samples in a laboratory setting. Their duties in this position are to collect samples for research, test specimens with a variety of equipment, and study how clinical drugs affect the samples. They are also responsible for maintaining data analysis records, troubleshooting issues, and preparing lab equipment. This position requires advanced education training in molecular biology.
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Molecular laboratory technologists and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Molecular Laboratory Technologist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,239 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $69,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a molecular laboratory technologist and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Molecular Laboratory Technologist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | New York University |
Here are the differences between molecular laboratory technologists' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Molecular Laboratory Technologist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 14.1% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |