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The differences between analytical laboratory technicians and chemical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an analytical laboratory technician and a chemical technician. Additionally, a chemical technician has an average salary of $42,584, which is higher than the $41,538 average annual salary of an analytical laboratory technician.
The top three skills for an analytical laboratory technician include lab equipment, analytical lab and HPLC. The most important skills for a chemical technician are lab equipment, safety procedures, and hazardous materials.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Chemical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,538 | $42,584 |
| Hourly rate | $19.97 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 50,750 | 40,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An analytical laboratory technician is responsible for operating various equipment to perform laboratory research and investigations under a professional scientist's supervision. Analytical laboratory technicians ensure the laboratory and machinery's safety and cleanliness to avoid potential hazards and keep accurate laboratory results. They also manage the adequacy of laboratory inventories, create purchase requests, and document findings for reference. An analytical laboratory technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in performing examinations accordingly while following strict safety protocols and regulatory policies.
A chemical technician is responsible for supporting chemists and laboratory technicians in performing laboratory investigations and examining chemical components and structures. Chemical technicians ensure the stability of laboratory tools and equipment, performing proper sterilization and segregation of disposable materials, and maintaining the adequacy of inventory. They also record the research progress, including scientific methods, and write observation reports for reference. A chemical technician manages the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility to avoid potential hazards and complications during chemical operations.
Analytical laboratory technicians and chemical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Chemical Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,538 | $42,584 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $53,000 | Between $30,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Elizabethtown, KY | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | Calpine |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an analytical laboratory technician and a chemical technician in terms of educational background:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Chemical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon |
Here are the differences between analytical laboratory technicians' and chemical technicians' demographics:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Chemical Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 9.3% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.9% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |