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The differences between research biologists and research 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 technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research biologist has an average salary of $69,719, which is higher than the $43,034 average annual salary of a research technician.
The top three skills for a research biologist include laboratory equipment, research projects and molecular biology. The most important skills for a research technician are patients, data collection, and cell culture.
| Research Biologist | Research Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $69,719 | $43,034 |
| Hourly rate | $33.52 | $20.69 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 52,799 | 64,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Research biologists and research technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Biologist | Research Technician | |
| Average salary | $69,719 | $43,034 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $96,000 | Between $31,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Juneau, AK | Pasadena, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a research biologist and a research technician in terms of educational background:
| Research Biologist | Research Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between research biologists' and research technicians' demographics:
| Research Biologist | Research Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1% | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% |
| 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, 12.0% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 16.5% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 6% |