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The differences between pilot plant technicians and biology laboratory 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 biology laboratory technician. Additionally, a pilot plant technician has an average salary of $55,161, which is higher than the $38,514 average annual salary of a biology laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a pilot plant technician include pilot plant equipment, safety procedures and GMP. The most important skills for a biology laboratory technician are lab equipment, molecular biology, and chemistry.
| Pilot Plant Technician | Biology Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $55,161 | $38,514 |
| Hourly rate | $26.52 | $18.52 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 23,485 | 45,470 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A biological technician assists medical and biological scientists in conducting laboratory experiments and tests. As a biological technician, you will perform a variety of tasks that include setting up, maintaining, and cleaning laboratory equipment and instruments such as test tubes and microscopes, collecting and preparing biological samples, and analyzing experimental data, and interpreting results. In addition, you will assist medical scientists by administering new treatments and medicines to laboratory animals. You will also perform different techniques such as specimen staining to aid identification.
Pilot plant technicians and biology laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pilot Plant Technician | Biology Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $55,161 | $38,514 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $70,000 | Between $29,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bridgeport, CT | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Koppers | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a pilot plant technician and a biology laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Pilot Plant Technician | Biology Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between pilot plant technicians' and biology laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Pilot Plant Technician | Biology Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 12.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 12.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |