Chemical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician

The differences between chemical laboratory technicians and research laboratory 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 research laboratory technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a chemical laboratory technician has an average salary of $41,087, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research 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 research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.

Chemical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician overview

	Chemical Laboratory Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$41,087	$38,308
Hourly rate	$19.75	$18.42
Growth rate	4%	9%
Number of jobs	47,036	86,476
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	2	4

What does a chemical laboratory technician do?

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.

What does a research laboratory technician do?

Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.

Chemical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician salary

Chemical laboratory technicians and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chemical Laboratory Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$41,087	$38,308
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $51,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Albuquerque, NM	Chicago, IL
Highest paying state	Maryland	Illinois
Best paying company	Basin Electric Power Cooperative	Accenture
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between chemical laboratory technician and research laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a chemical laboratory technician and a research laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

	Chemical Laboratory Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Cornell University

Chemical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between chemical laboratory technicians' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Chemical Laboratory Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 60.8% Female, 39.2%	Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0%
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, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between chemical laboratory technician and research laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Chemical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage daily production schedule, monitor machine operation, addressed any etching machinery problems.
Utilize instrumental and titration analysis on various chemical baths to maintain control of processes and insure product quality.
Keep accurate records and report results as per ISO documentation requirements.
Perform test on in-process products using UV and HPLC instruments including cleaning equipment verification tests.
Prepare and analyze samples in compliance with TCEQ, ISO 14001 and 9001, and other regulatory standards
Perform extractions, cold point, and viscosity processes per NIST, ASTM, GMP, and GLP guidelines.

Research laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage RT-PCR screening of candidate genes.
Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Use many scientific techniques to collect and analyze RNA, DNA, and specific proteins from lines of potato plants.
Preform computational molecular simulation of DNA and RNA.
Retain patients from previous research projects and update database using patient histories and correlating pertinent medical data.
Work with non human primates in an HIV testing laboratory.

Chemical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician skills

Common chemical laboratory technician skills

Lab Equipment, 13%
Routine Maintenance, 4%
Chemical Analysis, 4%
Analytical Methods, 4%
Chemical Processes, 4%
Chromatography, 3%

Common research laboratory technician skills

Patients, 9%
Chemistry, 7%
Laboratory Equipment, 7%
Cell Culture, 5%
Research Data, 4%
Research Projects, 4%

Chemical Laboratory Technician vs. similar jobs

Chemical Laboratory Technician related careers

Chemical Laboratory Technician related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Chemical Laboratory Technician
Chemical Laboratory Technician vs Research Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs