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The differences between research laboratory managers and senior laboratory technicians 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 senior laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a research laboratory manager has an average salary of $64,333, which is higher than the $48,530 average annual salary of a senior laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a research laboratory manager include lab equipment, research projects and lab safety. The most important skills for a senior laboratory technician are lab equipment, patients, and research projects.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $64,333 | $48,530 |
| Hourly rate | $30.93 | $23.33 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 89,981 | 63,876 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
A Senior Laboratory Technician is responsible for supervising and coordinating scientific investigations and experiments. They supervise staff, provide technical support, and construct, maintain, and operate standard laboratory equipment.
Research laboratory managers and senior laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $64,333 | $48,530 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $91,000 | Between $34,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Genentech |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a research laboratory manager and a senior laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | New York University |
Here are the differences between research laboratory managers' and senior laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8% | Male, 58.6% Female, 41.4% |
| 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, 10.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |