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Pilot plant technician vs biological technician

The differences between pilot plant technicians and biological technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a pilot plant technician and a biological technician. Additionally, a pilot plant technician has an average salary of $55,161, which is higher than the $43,572 average annual salary of a biological technician.

The top three skills for a pilot plant technician include pilot plant equipment, safety procedures and GMP. The most important skills for a biological technician are GPS, lab equipment, and data collection.

Pilot plant technician vs biological technician overview

Pilot Plant TechnicianBiological Technician
Yearly salary$55,161$43,572
Hourly rate$26.52$20.95
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs23,4859,182
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

What does a pilot plant technician do?

Pilot plant technicians need relevant pilot plant experience or experience in a food manufacturing environment, as well as knowledge of operation and maintenance of pilot plant equipment. Paid salaries of $48K per year, those in this career are expected to operate experimental pilot plants, assist with experimental design, and develop new processes in chemical engineering and production.

What does a biological technician do?

A biological technician is in charge of performing laboratory support tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around gathering and preparing samples, operating laboratory equipment, conducting analysis and experiments, recording every progress, and maintaining documentation. They may also coordinate with other technicians and scientists in various research and development efforts, summarizing findings into reports and presentations. Furthermore, as a laboratory technician, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness and order in the laboratory, all while adhering to its policies and regulations.

Pilot plant technician vs biological technician salary

Pilot plant technicians and biological technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pilot Plant TechnicianBiological Technician
Average salary$55,161$43,572
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $70,000Between $30,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTBerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyKoppersBristol-Myers Squibb
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between pilot plant technician and biological technician education

There are a few differences between a pilot plant technician and a biological technician in terms of educational background:

Pilot Plant TechnicianBiological Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorChemistryBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Pilot plant technician vs biological technician demographics

Here are the differences between pilot plant technicians' and biological technicians' demographics:

Pilot Plant TechnicianBiological Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 89.0% Female, 11.0%Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 12.7% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 12.6% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between pilot plant technician and biological technician duties and responsibilities

Pilot plant technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing technical and regulatory site visits to the laboratory and interface with QA and RA on all vendor/regulatory audits.
  • Complete daily paperwork following FDA and HACCP guidelines
  • Assist engineers in testing and adjusting production requirements as needed to meet FDA specifications.
  • Perform high voltage cable installation, testing/replacing GFCI breakers, test/repair emergency lighting, test motors and troubleshoot HVAC units.
  • Perform QC manufacturing final inspection.
  • Operate and troubleshoot experimental projects with little supervision.
  • Show more

Biological technician example responsibilities.

  • Identify owl species by sight and sound prompt using hoot flute and reed caller.
  • Back sprays, ATV, and boom sprays are used and maintain in this project.
  • Maintain backpack and ATV herbicides equipment.
  • Help harvest walleyes from earthen ponds.
  • Collect and tabulate angler effort, harvest and catch data.
  • Fish surveys, electro fishing, fish deliveries, vegetation control.
  • Show more

Pilot plant technician vs biological technician skills

Common pilot plant technician skills
  • Pilot Plant Equipment, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • GMP, 8%
  • R, 6%
  • Lab Equipment, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
Common biological technician skills
  • GPS, 10%
  • Lab Equipment, 9%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • PCR, 6%
  • GLP, 5%
  • Tissue Samples, 5%

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