Pipeline technician vs laboratory analyst

The differences between pipeline technicians and laboratory analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a pipeline technician and a laboratory analyst. Additionally, a laboratory analyst has an average salary of $44,024, which is higher than the $40,614 average annual salary of a pipeline technician.

The top three skills for a pipeline technician include DOT, safety equipment and excavations. The most important skills for a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.

Pipeline technician vs laboratory analyst overview

	Pipeline Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Yearly salary	$40,614	$44,024
Hourly rate	$19.53	$21.17
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	11,313	44,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

What does a pipeline technician do?

A pipeline technician specializes in the maintenance of pipeline systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include liaising with clients and traveling to their locations, assessing the site conditions, performing tests and inspections using special equipment and computer programs, and repairing leaks and other detected issues promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a pipeline technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members, coordinating with them every step of the way for a safe and effective service.

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Pipeline technician vs laboratory analyst salary

Pipeline technicians and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pipeline Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average salary	$40,614	$44,024
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $63,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	AbbVie
Best paying industry	-	Pharmaceutical

Differences between pipeline technician and laboratory analyst education

There are a few differences between a pipeline technician and a laboratory analyst in terms of educational background:

	Pipeline Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	-	Stanford University

Pipeline technician vs laboratory analyst demographics

Here are the differences between pipeline technicians' and laboratory analysts' demographics:

	Pipeline Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between pipeline technician and laboratory analyst duties and responsibilities

Pipeline technician example responsibilities.

Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
Establish and maintain spatial databases using ESRI ArcGIS.
Receive training in management, civil rights, computer security, and ArcGIS.
Monitor the gas flow rates from the meter to assure the pigs will launch and be receive.
Keep general area clean per OSHA regulations wear the basic, PPE on pipeline construction site hard hat.
Perform daily, weekly and annual maintenance on pumps, compressors, generators, boosters, flanges and pigs.

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Pipeline technician vs laboratory analyst skills

Common pipeline technician skills

DOT, 7%
Safety Equipment, 6%
Excavations, 6%
Pump Stations, 6%
Pipeline Operations, 4%
Routine Maintenance, 4%

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

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Pipeline Technician vs Laboratory Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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