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The differences between technical laboratory specialists and field specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a technical laboratory specialist and a field specialist. Additionally, a technical laboratory specialist has an average salary of $59,377, which is higher than the $49,496 average annual salary of a field specialist.
The top three skills for a technical laboratory specialist include clinical laboratory, patients and chemistry. The most important skills for a field specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and work ethic.
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Field Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $59,377 | $49,496 |
| Hourly rate | $28.55 | $23.80 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 147,595 | 101,348 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Technical Laboratory Specialist is a skilled worker who performs technical diagnostic or mechanical tests in scientific or medical laboratories. Technical laboratory specialists sample, test, measure, record, and analyze results as part of the scientific team. Their job involves technical support so that laboratories can operate effectively according to the right health and safety guidelines and procedures. For this job, one should develop administrative skills, knowledge in mathematics, use initiative, and focus on details.
The duties of a field specialist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In a retail setting, their responsibilities revolve around securing sales by offering products or services to consumers through appointments, walk-ins, calls, or correspondence. They typically participate in developing sales programs, maintain records of all transactions, answer inquiries, and handle any issues or concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a field specialist, it is essential to devise strategies that will boost product sales, all while upholding the company's policies and regulations.
Technical laboratory specialists and field specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Field Specialist | |
| Average salary | $59,377 | $49,496 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $88,000 | Between $30,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlingame, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Sutter Health | LUFKIN Industries |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a technical laboratory specialist and a field specialist in terms of educational background:
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Field Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between technical laboratory specialists' and field specialists' demographics:
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Field Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 11.6% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |