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The differences between process technicians and quality 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 process technician and a quality laboratory technician. Additionally, a process technician has an average salary of $39,462, which is higher than the $38,902 average annual salary of a quality laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a process technician include basic math, patients and OSHA. The most important skills for a quality laboratory technician are lab equipment, quality lab, and test results.
| Process Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,462 | $38,902 |
| Hourly rate | $18.97 | $18.70 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 74,367 | 104,887 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A process technician is responsible for managing the equipment and machinery used for various industries, such as manufacturing and engineering. Process technicians must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating certain equipment types and making adjustments on its features as needed, depending on the needs of the operation. They also run diagnostic tests to check a machine's working condition to ensure that it's free of any inconsistencies. A process technician also helps develop structure methods by communicating with the technical team and escalating all defective findings to the supervisor.
A Quality Laboratory Technician ensures that lab procedures and equipment meet a certain standard, as well as monitors production. They maintain quality service and a safe and healthy work environment through following organization standards.
Process technicians and quality laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,462 | $38,902 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $51,000 | Between $31,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | Hillsboro, OR |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Idaho |
| Best paying company | HP | OMNOVA Solutions |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a process technician and a quality laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Process Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Business | Biology |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between process technicians' and quality laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Process Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% | Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |