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The differences between research biologists and research laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a research biologist, becoming a research laboratory technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research biologist has an average salary of $69,719, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a research biologist include laboratory equipment, research projects and molecular biology. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.
| Research Biologist | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $69,719 | $38,308 |
| Hourly rate | $33.52 | $18.42 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 52,799 | 86,476 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A research biologist is a scientist who works in the outdoors, laboratories, and offices to study the natural elements so that they can better understand how living organisms work. Research biologists must design experiments for various research projects conducted under standard operating procedures and good laboratory practice guidelines. They are required to supervise lab technicians and veterinary medicine students in their respective research projects and studies. Research biologists must also provide support for clinical research protocols through laboratory procedures and protocols.
Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.
Research biologists and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Biologist | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $69,719 | $38,308 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $96,000 | Between $30,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Juneau, AK | Chicago, IL |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Illinois |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a research biologist and a research laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Research Biologist | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between research biologists' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Research Biologist | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1% | Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 15.7% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 6% |