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The differences between quality control associates and microbiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a microbiologist has an average salary of $54,620, which is higher than the $44,519 average annual salary of a quality control associate.
The top three skills for a quality control associate include QC, GMP and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.
| Quality Control Associate | Microbiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $44,519 | $54,620 |
| Hourly rate | $21.40 | $26.26 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 83,137 | 11,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
In a manufacturing setting, a quality control associate is in charge of conducting various tests to ensure that the products meet the company's standard criteria. Their responsibilities revolve around inspecting the workforce and workload involved in the production process, identifying errors or inconsistencies, recommending solutions and alterations, and maintaining records and documentation. Furthermore, as a quality control associate, it is essential to coordinate with department staff and produce progress reports, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
Quality control associates and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Control Associate | Microbiologist | |
| Average salary | $44,519 | $54,620 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $71,000 | Between $39,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a quality control associate and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:
| Quality Control Associate | Microbiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between quality control associates' and microbiologists' demographics:
| Quality Control Associate | Microbiologist | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 13.2% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |