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The differences between research associates and laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a research associate, becoming a laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a research associate has an average salary of $60,166, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a research associate include patients, research projects and data analysis. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
Research Associate | Laboratory Technician | |
Yearly Salary | $60,166 | $40,038 |
Hourly rate | $28.93 | $19.25 |
Growth Rate | 17% | 4% |
Number Of Jobs | 63,884 | 84,357 |
Job Satisfaction | - | - |
Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
Average Age | 38 | 44 |
Years Of Experience | 2 | 12 |
A research associate is responsible for assisting the research team, organizing and interpreting findings, and verifying information before presenting the study to the board. Research associates duties also include gathering and comparing data from multiple sources, analyzing the current industry trends, creating draft outlines for reports, collecting individual contacts for interview purposes, and helping with the development of research procedures. A research associate must have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially on meeting strict deadlines and conducting studies.
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Research associates and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
Research Associate | Laboratory Technician | |
Average Salary | $60,166 | $40,038 |
Salary Range | Between $41,000 And $87,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
Highest Paying City | Worcester, MA | New York, NY |
Highest Paying State | Massachusetts | Alaska |
Best Paying Company | The Citadel | Tenaska |
Best Paying Industry | Finance | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a research associate and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
Research Associate | Laboratory Technician | |
Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
Most Common Major | Biology | Biology |
Most Common College | Harvard University | New York University |
Here are the differences between research associates' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
Research Associate | Laboratory Technician | |
Average Age | 38 | 44 |
Gender Ratio | Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
Race Ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |