Research laboratory manager vs laboratory research assistant

The differences between research laboratory managers and laboratory research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a research laboratory manager, becoming a laboratory research assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a research laboratory manager has an average salary of $64,333, which is higher than the $36,537 average annual salary of a laboratory research assistant.

The top three skills for a research laboratory manager include lab equipment, research projects and lab safety. The most important skills for a laboratory research assistant are data collection, patients, and laboratory equipment.

Research laboratory manager vs laboratory research assistant overview

	Research Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Research Assistant
Yearly salary	$64,333	$36,537
Hourly rate	$30.93	$17.57
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	89,981	87,343
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age	41	38
Years of experience	4	2

What does a research laboratory manager do?

Research laboratory managers are management professionals who are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of laboratories by implementing safety lab procedures. These managers are required to coordinate the repair and maintenance of lab equipment while training lab technicians and assistants on the correct use of equipment. They must perform experimental studies and analyze the research data collected for research projects. Research laboratory managers must also manage the inventory of laboratory equipment while coordinating the purchase of lab supplies.

What does a laboratory research assistant do?

A laboratory research assistant is an individual who performs lab experiments and carries out projects designed by senior lab staff members. Laboratory research assistants design and conduct experiments using biohazards and other dangerous materials to gain information and test scientific processes. They must write detailed reports of their research and experiments and then deliver these reports in written and verbal forms. Laboratory research assistants may also work in different settings such as medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies.

Research laboratory manager vs laboratory research assistant salary

Research laboratory managers and laboratory research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Research Assistant
Average salary	$64,333	$36,537
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $91,000	Between $24,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Baltimore, MD	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Maryland	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Meta	New York University
Best paying industry	Health Care	Education

Differences between research laboratory manager and laboratory research assistant education

There are a few differences between a research laboratory manager and a laboratory research assistant in terms of educational background:

	Research Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Research Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Duke University	Harvard University

Research laboratory manager vs laboratory research assistant demographics

Here are the differences between research laboratory managers' and laboratory research assistants' demographics:

	Research Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Research Assistant
Average age	41	38
Gender ratio	Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8%	Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between research laboratory manager and laboratory research assistant duties and responsibilities

Research laboratory manager example responsibilities.

Manage and order equipment and materials for lab usage with NIH grant and write monthly credit card reports.
Manage laboratory team activities v. assist set up and revision of project plans under the guidance of NIH vi.
Design, development and validation of cell-base assays; infrare EMSA analysis, western blotting, ELISA.
Prepare, perform RT-PCR and Q-PCR and analyze the results.
Write grant proposal, project reports, IRB applications, and documentation.
Compose and maintain all lab IRB protocols in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.

Laboratory research assistant example responsibilities.

Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
Maintain microbial culture and isolate and purify bacterial and viral DNA and RNA to study the genome of common pathogenic bacteria.
Perform protein extraction on larvae.
Perform biological assays, including ELISA and RT-PCR.
Gain extensive MLST, RT-PCR, conventional PCR, primer design and gel-electrophoresis experience.

Research laboratory manager vs laboratory research assistant skills

Common research laboratory manager skills

Lab Equipment, 9%
Research Projects, 8%
Lab Safety, 6%
Cell Culture, 5%
Patients, 5%
Research Lab, 5%

Common laboratory research assistant skills

Data Collection, 5%
Patients, 5%
Laboratory Equipment, 5%
Lab Procedures, 5%
Laboratory Techniques, 5%
Molecular Biology, 4%

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Research Laboratory Manager
Research Laboratory Manager vs Laboratory Research Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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