Research technician vs research laboratory technician

The differences between research technicians and research laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a research technician and a research laboratory technician. Additionally, a research technician has an average salary of $43,034, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a research technician include patients, data collection and cell culture. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.

Research technician vs research laboratory technician overview

	Research Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$43,034	$38,308
Hourly rate	$20.69	$18.42
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	64,786	86,476
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

What does a research technician do?

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.

What does a research laboratory technician do?

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 technician vs research laboratory technician salary

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

	Research Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$43,034	$38,308
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $59,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Pasadena, CA	Chicago, IL
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Illinois
Best paying company	GCP Applied Technologies	Accenture
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between research technician and research laboratory technician education

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

	Research Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Cornell University	Cornell University

Research technician vs research laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between research technicians' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Research Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7%	Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0%
Race ratio	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%	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	6%	6%

Differences between research technician and research laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Research technician example responsibilities.

Manage a DNA database and work with researchers to retrieve or send out samples and results.
Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
Prepare reagents for use in processing samples, DNA and RNA extractions, and QC.
Investigate and validate various acute phase protein assays as OA biomarkers in rodent animal models.
Perform DNA extraction and analysis for the purpose of identifying bacterial strand for waste stream characterization.
Extend course knowledge of CRISPR to experiment.

Research laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage RT-PCR screening of candidate genes.
Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Use many scientific techniques to collect and analyze RNA, DNA, and specific proteins from lines of potato plants.
Preform computational molecular simulation of DNA and RNA.
Retain patients from previous research projects and update database using patient histories and correlating pertinent medical data.
Work with non human primates in an HIV testing laboratory.

Research technician vs research laboratory technician skills

Common research technician skills

Patients, 9%
Data Collection, 6%
Cell Culture, 5%
Laboratory Equipment, 5%
Research Projects, 4%
Lab Equipment, 3%

Common research laboratory technician skills

Patients, 9%
Chemistry, 7%
Laboratory Equipment, 7%
Cell Culture, 5%
Research Data, 4%
Research Projects, 4%

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Research Technician
Research Technician vs Research Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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