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The differences between molecular technologists and laboratory coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a molecular technologist and a laboratory coordinator. Additionally, a molecular technologist has an average salary of $54,483, which is higher than the $52,690 average annual salary of a laboratory coordinator.
The top three skills for a molecular technologist include clinical laboratory, next-generation sequencing and molecular biology. The most important skills for a laboratory coordinator are lab equipment, patients, and patient care.
| Molecular Technologist | Laboratory Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $54,483 | $52,690 |
| Hourly rate | $26.19 | $25.33 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 76,319 | 64,914 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A molecular technologist is responsible for conducting laboratory examinations for clinical trials and medical research. Molecular technologists collect laboratory samples and document scientific findings to support claims and initial theories. They also utilize various advanced laboratory equipment and machinery, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of organizational skills to prevent potential hazards and inconsistencies in results. A molecular technologist works with chemical solutions and sensitive samples, resulting in strict compliance and adherence to safety protocols and regulations.
A laboratory coordinator is responsible for supporting laboratory examinations and experiments, collecting laboratory samples, and ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory tools and equipment. Laboratory coordinators maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the laboratory facility at all times to avoid contaminations and hazards that may affect laboratory results and accuracy of examinations. They also perform scientific processes under the supervision of a scientist or laboratory technicians and keep an organized report of findings in the database.
Molecular technologists and laboratory coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Molecular Technologist | Laboratory Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $54,483 | $52,690 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $81,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | AbbVie |
| Best paying industry | Education | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a molecular technologist and a laboratory coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Molecular Technologist | Laboratory Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between molecular technologists' and laboratory coordinators' demographics:
| Molecular Technologist | Laboratory Coordinator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0% | Male, 41.5% Female, 58.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 15.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |