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The differences between research laboratory technicians and assistant research scientists 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 technician, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assistant research scientist has an average salary of $62,780, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a research laboratory technician include patients, chemistry and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Research Laboratory Technician | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $38,308 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $18.42 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 86,476 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Research laboratory technicians and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Laboratory Technician | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $38,308 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $48,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Accenture | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between a research laboratory technician and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Research Laboratory Technician | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between research laboratory technicians' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Research Laboratory Technician | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |