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The differences between chemical laboratory technicians and quality control chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a quality control chemist has an average salary of $58,892, which is higher than the $41,087 average annual salary of a chemical laboratory technician.
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 chemist are QC, HPLC, and lab equipment.
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $41,087 | $58,892 |
| Hourly rate | $19.75 | $28.31 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 47,036 | 90,467 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| 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.
A Quality Control Chemist uses chemistry lab skills to test and measure materials, usually in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical field. They analyze samples using scientific equipment, prepare study protocols, collect data, and identify and investigate abnormal test results.
Chemical laboratory technicians and quality control chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Average salary | $41,087 | $58,892 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $51,000 | Between $45,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Albuquerque, NM | North Kingstown, RI |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Basin Electric Power Cooperative | Hallstar |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a chemical laboratory technician and a quality control chemist in terms of educational background:
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between chemical laboratory technicians' and quality control chemists' demographics:
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.8% Female, 39.2% | Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5% |
| 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, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 21.4% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |