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The differences between chemical laboratory technicians and quality control assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chemical laboratory technician has an average salary of $41,087, which is higher than the $37,836 average annual salary of a quality control assistant.
The top three skills for a chemical laboratory technician include lab equipment, routine maintenance and chemical analysis. The most important skills for a quality control assistant are product quality, quality checks, and lab equipment.
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $41,087 | $37,836 |
| Hourly rate | $19.75 | $18.19 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 47,036 | 81,401 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 44 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A chemical laboratory technician is in charge of performing support tasks for chemists in a laboratory or similar setting. Their duties and responsibilities typically revolve around handling and managing chemicals and laboratory apparatuses, gathering and preparing samples, performing analysis, operating machines and devices, and maintaining records of all procedures and results. They may also procure supplies, organize chemicals, and ensure proper waste disposal. Furthermore, as a chemical laboratory technician, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness and order in laboratories, all while implementing its policies and regulations.
Quality assurance technicians work as testers, samplers, and inspectors of quality control in the organizations. They are equipped with skills in visual inspection, written and verbal communication, and active listening. In carrying out their jobs, they are expected to work well and be detail-oriented. Working as a quality assurance technician involves problem-solving, decision making, and creative thinking. They see to it that products and services meet the quality standards for the entire organization.
Chemical laboratory technicians and quality control assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Assistant | |
| Average salary | $41,087 | $37,836 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $51,000 | Between $26,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Albuquerque, NM | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Washington |
| Best paying company | Basin Electric Power Cooperative | Sun Chemical |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between a chemical laboratory technician and a quality control assistant in terms of educational background:
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between chemical laboratory technicians' and quality control assistants' demographics:
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.8% Female, 39.2% | Male, 41.8% Female, 58.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 8.4% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |