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The differences between pilot plant technicians and research 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 research laboratory technician. Additionally, a pilot plant technician has an average salary of $55,161, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research 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 research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.
| Pilot Plant Technician | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $55,161 | $38,308 |
| Hourly rate | $26.52 | $18.42 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 23,485 | 86,476 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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.
Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.
Pilot plant technicians and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pilot Plant Technician | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $55,161 | $38,308 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $70,000 | Between $30,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Illinois |
| Best paying company | Koppers | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a pilot plant technician and a research laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Pilot Plant Technician | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between pilot plant technicians' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Pilot Plant Technician | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% | Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0% |
| 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, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |