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The differences between quality control 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 quality control technician and a quality laboratory technician. Additionally, a quality control technician has an average salary of $40,337, which is higher than the $38,902 average annual salary of a quality laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a quality control technician include lab equipment, quality control tests and test results. The most important skills for a quality laboratory technician are lab equipment, quality lab, and test results.
| Quality Control Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,337 | $38,902 |
| Hourly rate | $19.39 | $18.70 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 98,407 | 104,887 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.
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.
Quality control technicians and quality laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Control Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,337 | $38,902 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $51,000 | Between $31,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Hillsboro, OR |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Idaho |
| Best paying company | Boehringer Ingelheim | OMNOVA Solutions |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a quality control technician and a quality laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Quality Control Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between quality control technicians' and quality laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Quality Control Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9% | Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.0% 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% |