What is a lab assistant?

A lab assistant provides support for researchers, scientists and professionals in a lab environment. Typically, they handle routine tasks to free scientists’ schedules for analysis, observation and other critical lab functions.

Duties you might expect a lab assistant to handle include:

• Preparing lab equipment, tools and supplies for work

• Recording data during research in a digital or written format

• Compiling data into spreadsheets and databases and using it to create charts and graphs for visual analysis

• Preparing test subjects via interviews and providing instructions

• Monitoring ongoing observations and experiments, recording findings and alerting researchers of changes

What is a lab technician?

A lab technician also supports scientists and researchers within lab environments. This position may involve cleaning and maintaining lab equipment, gathering and recording data and reporting test results.

Duties of a lab technician might include:

• Managing lab samples, including labeling and storing them

• Deciding on appropriate tests, running tests and communicating the results

• Calibrating and maintaining lab equipment

• Gathering and managing supplies required for research

• Maintaining logs related to daily equipment and supplies inspections and maintenance

Similarities between lab assistants and lab technicians

Depending on how you organize your teams, there may not be a big difference in duties between lab technicians vs. assistants. If you hire a clinical lab assistant, they may function similarly to another organization’s lab technician.

Similarities in these roles can include:

• Acting in support roles within a lab environment: Both positions support scientists or medical researchers. However, neither takes on a supervisory role.

• Handling and preparing samples: Assistants and technicians may prepare samples for lab tests or storage, requiring attention to detail and knowledge of proper lab safety and protocol.

• Caring for equipment and tools: Both positions have some responsibility for the care, cleaning, maintenance and use of equipment and tools in the lab.

• Working in diverse settings: Lab technicians and lab assistants might be hired in various lab environments, including universities, medical facilities, research locations, pharmaceutical companies and industrial laboratories.

Differences between lab assistants and lab technicians

While some employers may use the terms interchangeably, the roles generally differ in pay, scope of work, educational requirements and qualifications.

Level of responsibility

Lab technicians might have more responsibility or handle more complex tasks than lab assistants. For example, lab assistants may be tasked with cleaning equipment and preparing samples while lab technicians run tests and calibrate equipment.

Technical skills

While both positions require attention to detail and knowledge of lab procedures, the technical skills required for the jobs may differ.

Lab technicians may need to operate microscopes, spectrometers, centrifuges and other equipment, and assistants may focus on cleaning, organization and data entry tasks.

Education and qualifications

The education requirements for your position depend on your preferences and the work you expect your new hire to complete. In some cases, lab assistants may not need formal education, but some employers may prefer candidates with associate’s degrees.

Lab technician positions may require candidates with associate’s degrees or higher levels of education. Certifications can also help demonstrate a candidate has the skills and knowledge for these roles.

Consider skills-based hiring when selecting your new hire. This method prioritizes a candidate’s abilities over their educational background.

Pay

The average pay for a lab assistant in the United States is $19.96 per hour, according to Indeed salary data. The average pay for lab technicians is $23.62 per hour, reflecting the higher level of skills and qualifications required for these positions.

Lab assistants vs. lab technician: Which one to hire

When you only have one position in the budget, you may need to decide between hiring a lab assistant or a lab technician. Consider which might bring the most benefit to your organization.

Benefits of hiring a lab assistant

Lab assistants provide support in the lab. Because they tend to handle basic duties, they don’t typically require lengthy training and can begin to benefit lab teams almost immediately.

A good lab assistant can help enhance organization and efficiency in the lab and free more specialized team members for complex tasks. When you have lab assistants on your team, you may find you have increased staffing flexibility, as they can move throughout labs to support various teams and efforts as needed.

Related: How to Hire a Lab Assistant

Benefit of hiring a lab technician

The right lab technician can add to the technical expertise in your lab, ensuring you have employees who can calibrate and care for machines, prepare complex samples and run critical tests.

Lab technicians can gather data and conduct some initial analysis, helping to increase efficiency in the lab and provide scientists and other researchers with important data for their work. When you hire a lab technician, you may decrease the risk of error in your lab and ensure exact protocols are followed.

Related: How to Hire a Lab Technician

How to choose between a lab assistant and a lab technician

Consider talking to the research teams in your labs to learn what support they need.

If your research scientists and teams request help with basic lab tasks such as cleaning, recordkeeping and organization, a lab assistant may be the right choice. However, if they need more technical assistance to keep lab equipment running well or begin analyzing test results, a lab technician could be a better hire.

Frequently asked questions about lab assistants vs. lab technicians

Which is higher on an organization chart: A lab assistant or a technician?

In many cases, these positions are at similar levels on an organizational chart. Individuals in these roles may report to the same person. In some cases, lab assistants might report to lab technicians.

Do lab technicians have a path to promotion?

A lab technician position might be considered an entry-level position for some organizations. Offering a path to promotion or career growth for individuals in these roles can help you attract quality candidates. Lab technicians might work toward higher degrees and certifications so they can advance to laboratory scientist positions or other jobs.

Who do lab assistants report to?

Lab assistants might report to lab technicians, lab managers or directors, research scientists or research project leads. However, this depends on your team’s structure.