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The differences between technical laboratory specialists and laboratory managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a technical laboratory specialist, becoming a laboratory manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a laboratory manager has an average salary of $74,314, which is higher than the $59,377 average annual salary of a technical laboratory specialist.
The top three skills for a technical laboratory specialist include clinical laboratory, patients and chemistry. The most important skills for a laboratory manager are lab equipment, patients, and customer service.
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Laboratory Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $59,377 | $74,314 |
| Hourly rate | $28.55 | $35.73 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 147,595 | 43,321 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items. A laboratory manager also secures the confidentiality of laboratory systems, keeping records of results, and releasing information to the appropriate personnel. Laboratory managers must have a broad knowledge of the scientific industry, as well as excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Technical laboratory specialists and laboratory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Laboratory Manager | |
| Average salary | $59,377 | $74,314 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $88,000 | Between $49,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlingame, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Sutter Health | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a technical laboratory specialist and a laboratory manager in terms of educational background:
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Laboratory Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between technical laboratory specialists' and laboratory managers' demographics:
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Laboratory Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% |
| 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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |