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The differences between analytical laboratory technicians and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research chemist has an average salary of $75,843, 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 research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Research Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $41,538 | $75,843 |
| Hourly rate | $19.97 | $36.46 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 50,750 | 53,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 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 research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.
Analytical laboratory technicians and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Research Chemist | |
| Average salary | $41,538 | $75,843 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $53,000 | Between $53,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Elizabethtown, KY | McLean, VA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Energy |
There are a few differences between an analytical laboratory technician and a research chemist in terms of educational background:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Research Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between analytical laboratory technicians' and research chemists' demographics:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Research Chemist | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% |
| 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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 22.2% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |