Research assistant, chemistry department vs microbiology technician

The differences between research assistants, chemistry department and microbiology 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 research assistant, chemistry department and a microbiology technician. Additionally, a research assistant, chemistry department has an average salary of $64,402, which is higher than the $40,084 average annual salary of a microbiology technician.

The top three skills for a research assistant, chemistry department include NMR, SEM and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a microbiology technician are lab equipment, test results, and laboratory procedures.

Research assistant, chemistry department vs microbiology technician overview

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Microbiology Technician
Yearly salary	$64,402	$40,084
Hourly rate	$30.96	$19.27
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	74,916	25,704
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Research assistant, chemistry department vs microbiology technician salary

Research assistants, chemistry department and microbiology technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Microbiology Technician
Average salary	$64,402	$40,084
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $91,000	Between $29,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Central Islip, NY
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Thomas Jefferson University
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between research assistant, chemistry department and microbiology technician education

There are a few differences between a research assistant, chemistry department and a microbiology technician in terms of educational background:

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Microbiology Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Cornell University	Cornell University

Research assistant, chemistry department vs microbiology technician demographics

Here are the differences between research assistants, chemistry department' and microbiology technicians' demographics:

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Microbiology Technician
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6%	Male, 40.8% Female, 59.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 19.0% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 14.1% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between research assistant, chemistry department and microbiology technician duties and responsibilities

Research assistant, chemistry department example responsibilities.

Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
Work with familiarization level proficiency in the use of spectroscopy, electrophoresis and other quantitative analytical techniques.
Synthesize a single strand DNA sensor.
Research relate to gas absorption with hydrogen fuel cell applications.
Prepare numerous chemical solution samples for analysis and various buffers used for CE and HPLC analysis.
Develop HPLC methods and analyze organic compounds.

Microbiology technician example responsibilities.

Job duties begin in a general microbiology/ infectious disease laboratory focuse on cultivating and managing infectious strains of microbes.
Apply GMP and GLP documentation for all sample testing.
Prepare culture media, perform culture media QC test, and maintain appropriate inventory, perform growth promotion testing and sterility.
Quantify total aerobic plate count and total yeast and mold count.
Keep records of all tests in database and keep entries of QA checks.
Use of microscopes, autoclaves, carboys, manual and electric pipettes, etc.

Research assistant, chemistry department vs microbiology technician skills

Common research assistant, chemistry department skills

NMR, 13%
SEM, 9%
Laboratory Equipment, 8%
DR, 7%
Nmr Spectroscopy, 6%
Organic Synthesis, 5%

Common microbiology technician skills

Lab Equipment, 10%
Test Results, 6%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Environmental Monitoring, 5%
Media Preparation, 5%
FDA, 4%

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Research Assistant, Chemistry Department
Research Assistant, Chemistry Department vs Microbiology Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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