Analytical laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst

The differences between analytical laboratory technicians and laboratory analysts 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 laboratory analyst. Additionally, a laboratory analyst has an average salary of $44,024, 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 laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.

Analytical laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst overview

	Analytical Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Yearly salary	$41,538	$44,024
Hourly rate	$19.97	$21.17
Growth rate	4%	9%
Number of jobs	50,750	44,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	44	38
Years of experience	2	2

What does an analytical laboratory technician do?

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.

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Analytical laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst salary

Analytical laboratory technicians and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Analytical Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average salary	$41,538	$44,024
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $53,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Elizabethtown, KY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Maryland	New York
Best paying company	Zoetis	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between analytical laboratory technician and laboratory analyst education

There are a few differences between an analytical laboratory technician and a laboratory analyst in terms of educational background:

	Analytical Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Analytical laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst demographics

Here are the differences between analytical laboratory technicians' and laboratory analysts' demographics:

	Analytical Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average age	44	38
Gender ratio	Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0%	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between analytical laboratory technician and laboratory analyst duties and responsibilities

Analytical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
Analyze raw materials and finish products using HPLC, UV, GC, and FTIR according to specifications.
Acquire extensive knowledge of GMP and FDA regulations as well as specifications.
Prepare and analyze calibration curves and daily QC standards on GC and HPLC using ChemStation software.
Maintain and operate laboratory equipment and commendably troubleshoot and resolve an assortment of laboratory testing analyzers and perform diverse chemical tests.
Maintain and operate laboratory equipment and commendably troubleshoot and resolve an assortment of laboratory testing analyzers and perform diverse chemical tests.

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Analytical laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst skills

Common analytical laboratory technician skills

Lab Equipment, 7%
Analytical Lab, 6%
HPLC, 6%
Chromatography, 5%
Wet Chemistry, 4%
Analytical Methods, 4%

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

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Analytical Laboratory Technician
Analytical Laboratory Technician vs Laboratory Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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