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The differences between analytical 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 $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 a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.
| Analytical Technician | Research Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $69,177 | $75,843 |
| Hourly rate | $33.26 | $36.46 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 48,581 | 53,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
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.
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 technicians and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Analytical Technician | Research Chemist | |
| Average salary | $69,177 | $75,843 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $114,000 | Between $53,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | McLean, VA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Meta | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between an analytical technician and a research chemist in terms of educational background:
| Analytical Technician | Research Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | 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 technicians' and research chemists' demographics:
| Analytical Technician | Research Chemist | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% |
| 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, 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% |