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The differences between analytical technicians and associate scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an analytical technician, becoming an associate scientist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $69,177 average annual salary of an analytical technician.
The top three skills for an analytical technician include lab equipment, HPLC and SQL. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.
| Analytical Technician | Associate Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $69,177 | $76,461 |
| Hourly rate | $33.26 | $36.76 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 48,581 | 54,950 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Analytical technicians are professionals who are responsible for managing the daily operation of activities in a laboratory as well as maintain lab equipment to ensure a high standard of sanitation. These technicians must assist in laboratory work, such as developing analytical test methods and performing analysis of raw materials and in-process samples. They are required to maintain relevant files and data records but should inform the laboratory manager when they are faced with technical problems. Analytical technicians should also determine the physical and chemical properties of compounds by using quantitative and qualitative analyses.
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
Analytical technicians and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Analytical Technician | Associate Scientist | |
| Average salary | $69,177 | $76,461 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $114,000 | Between $53,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Phillips 66 |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an analytical technician and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:
| Analytical Technician | Associate Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between analytical technicians' and associate scientists' demographics:
| Analytical Technician | Associate Scientist | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% | Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 8.4% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |