Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between chemical laboratory technicians and quality control technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a chemical laboratory technician, becoming a quality control technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a chemical laboratory technician has an average salary of $41,087, which is higher than the $40,337 average annual salary of a quality control 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 technician are lab equipment, quality control tests, and test results.
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,087 | $40,337 |
| Hourly rate | $19.75 | $19.39 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 47,036 | 98,407 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.
Chemical laboratory technicians and quality control technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,087 | $40,337 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $51,000 | Between $31,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Albuquerque, NM | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Basin Electric Power Cooperative | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a chemical laboratory technician and a quality control technician in terms of educational background:
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between chemical laboratory technicians' and quality control technicians' demographics:
| Chemical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.8% Female, 39.2% | Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9% |
| 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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 6% |