Quality laboratory technician vs validation technologist

The differences between quality laboratory technicians and validation technologists 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 laboratory technician and a validation technologist. Additionally, a validation technologist has an average salary of $50,457, which is higher than the $38,902 average annual salary of a quality laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a quality laboratory technician include lab equipment, quality lab and test results. The most important skills for a validation technologist are troubleshoot, python, and test results.

Quality laboratory technician vs validation technologist overview

	Quality Laboratory Technician	Validation Technologist
Yearly salary	$38,902	$50,457
Hourly rate	$18.70	$24.26
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	104,887	48,765
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

What does a quality laboratory technician do?

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.

What does a validation technologist do?

A validation technologist works with a process chief and applies validation methods to complete tasks and carry out installations. They perform operational protocol duties and do reviews daily. They also analyze the validation test data to make sure it meets the necessary criteria for validation. They may have to generate and conduct all the phases in the validation process. These include IQs, OQ's and PQ's.

Quality laboratory technician vs validation technologist salary

Quality laboratory technicians and validation technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Quality Laboratory Technician	Validation Technologist
Average salary	$38,902	$50,457
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $48,000	Between $38,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	Hillsboro, OR	Frederick, MD
Highest paying state	Idaho	Maryland
Best paying company	OMNOVA Solutions	AstraZeneca
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Technology

Differences between quality laboratory technician and validation technologist education

There are a few differences between a quality laboratory technician and a validation technologist in terms of educational background:

	Quality Laboratory Technician	Validation Technologist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Biology	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Stanford University	Purdue University

Quality laboratory technician vs validation technologist demographics

Here are the differences between quality laboratory technicians' and validation technologists' demographics:

	Quality Laboratory Technician	Validation Technologist
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9%	Male, 74.5% Female, 25.5%
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, 8.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between quality laboratory technician and validation technologist duties and responsibilities

Quality laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage CAPA projects/assignments using CATSWeb system.
Perform tests on raw ingredients, ration and finish product of dry pet foods using GMP and HACCP practices.
Perform quality control testing on refrigerant gases utilizing gas chromatography
Conduct rigorous quality control analyses using gas chromatography to verify product purity.
Measure parts for conformity with specifications, using micrometers, calipers and other precision instruments.
Follow good laboratory practices and ensure HACCP plans are being follow.

Validation technologist example responsibilities.

Manage all cleaning validation schedule and coordinate activities with QA and/or external laboratories and operations.
Project coordinator, liaise with QA, QC, production, suppliers and contractors
Create HDD with Linux O.S.
Generate QC sampling schemes for cleaning validation, collect samples for airborne contaminants and surface contaminants.
Develop and write validation procedures following FDA guidelines for laboratory testing.
Perform system validation on autoclaves, ovens, refrigerator/freezers and equipment washers.

Quality laboratory technician vs validation technologist skills

Common quality laboratory technician skills

Lab Equipment, 10%
Quality Lab, 8%
Test Results, 5%
Food Safety, 5%
GMP, 4%
Laboratory Procedures, 4%

Common validation technologist skills

Troubleshoot, 6%
Python, 6%
Test Results, 6%
Data Collection, 6%
Linux, 5%
ISO, 4%

Quality Laboratory Technician vs. similar jobs

Quality Laboratory Technician related careers

Quality Laboratory Technician related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Architecture and Engineering Industry
Quality Laboratory Technician
Quality Laboratory Technician vs Validation Technologist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs