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The differences between quality laboratory technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a quality laboratory technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a quality laboratory technician has an average salary of $38,902, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a quality laboratory technician include lab equipment, quality lab and test results. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Quality Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,902 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $18.70 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 104,887 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Quality laboratory technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,902 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $48,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hillsboro, OR | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | OMNOVA Solutions | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a quality laboratory technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Quality Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between quality laboratory technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Quality Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 2% |