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The differences between technical laboratory specialists and laboratory technicians 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 technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a technical laboratory specialist has an average salary of $59,377, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a technical laboratory specialist include clinical laboratory, patients and chemistry. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $59,377 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $28.55 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 147,595 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
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 technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Technical laboratory specialists and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $59,377 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $88,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlingame, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Sutter Health | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a technical laboratory specialist and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | New York University |
Here are the differences between technical laboratory specialists' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Technical Laboratory Specialist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |