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.
Chemical laboratory technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real chemical laboratory technician resumes:
- 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.
- Observe and record complete documentation of all testing procedures, chemical properties, and interactions for review by FDA personnel.
- Used LIMS for characterize storeroom designation.
- Exercise FDA regulate cGLP documentation practices.
- Follow ASTM analysis and reporting guidelines.
- Utilize laboratory analysis computer program to document titration data results.
- Document experimental results in a laboratory database using LIMS system.
- Follow procedures for manufacturing, troubleshooting and testing HPLC columns using automate instruments, quality control.
- Execute and analyze tests in areas including chemistry, hematology and urinalysis to aid physicians in diagnosing and treating disease.
- Perfect sample digestion technique to increase sample recovery and decrease duplicate follow by metals analysis with Horiba Jobin Yvon ICP-OES analysis.
Chemical laboratory technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Chemical Laboratory Technicians are proficient in Lab Equipment, Routine Maintenance, and Chemical Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to use technology, Observation skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Chemical Laboratory Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lab Equipment, 13%
Experienced with ordering various chemicals, lab equipment and maintaining inventory.
- Routine Maintenance, 4%
Performed routine maintenance functions as was required on chemical related equipment and systems.
- Chemical Analysis, 4%
Performed chemical analysis and reported entry to ensure composition of finished potassium products.
- Analytical Methods, 4%
Utilized analytical methods to attain proper specifications maintained by the company's exact standards.
- Chemical Processes, 4%
Operated chemical plant machinery and participated in evolving chemical processes.
- Chromatography, 3%
Gas Chromatography method development, instrumentation trouble shooting and maintenance, application support, investigation into production issues.
"lab equipment," "routine maintenance," and "chemical analysis" are among the most common skills that chemical laboratory technicians use at work. You can find even more chemical laboratory technician responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. For certain chemical laboratory technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "analytical skills." The day-to-day duties of a chemical laboratory technician rely on this skill, as "chemical technicians must be methodical in conducting scientific experiments and interpreting data." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what chemical laboratory technicians do: "job duties: make chemical solutions, prepare samples for analysis, etc. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for chemical laboratory technician responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of chemical laboratory technicians all the time, as "chemical technicians must explain their work to scientists and engineers or to workers who may not have a technical background." An excerpt from a real chemical laboratory technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a chemical laboratory technician does: "perform lab draws pr0cessing and aliquoting blood specimens reporting through communication systems sort samples for lab tests enter information/results into ehr system"
Interpersonal skills. Another skill commonly found on chemical laboratory technician job descriptions is "interpersonal skills." It can come up quite often in chemical laboratory technician duties, since "chemical technicians must work well as part of a team that often includes scientists, engineers, and other technicians." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day chemical laboratory technician responsibilities: "excelled in interpersonal skills, both oral and written while maintaining excellent customer service. "
The three companies that hire the most chemical laboratory technicians are:
- Cenergy International Services11 chemical laboratory technicians jobs
- Kelly Services5 chemical laboratory technicians jobs
- Pace Analytical4 chemical laboratory technicians jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable chemical laboratory technician resume templates
Build a professional chemical laboratory technician resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your chemical laboratory technician resume.
Compare different chemical laboratory technicians
Chemical laboratory technician vs. Quality control chemist
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between chemical laboratory technicians and quality control chemist. For instance, chemical laboratory technician responsibilities require skills such as "routine maintenance," "chemical processes," "lab procedures," and "math." Whereas a quality control chemist is skilled in "drug products," "test methods," "ms," and "troubleshoot." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Quality control chemists tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,570. In contrast, chemical laboratory technicians make the biggest average salary, $44,185, in the technology industry.On average, quality control chemists reach higher levels of education than chemical laboratory technicians. Quality control chemists are 6.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Chemical laboratory technician vs. Microbiologist
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, chemical laboratory technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "routine maintenance," "chemical analysis," "analytical methods," and "chemical processes." Meanwhile, a microbiologist has duties that require skills in areas such as "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," "test methods," and "laboratory procedures." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Microbiologists may earn a higher salary than chemical laboratory technicians, but microbiologists earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $57,911. On the other hand, chemical laboratory technicians receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $44,185.microbiologists earn higher levels of education than chemical laboratory technicians in general. They're 6.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for chemical laboratory technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Suely Black Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry, Norfolk State University
Chemical laboratory technician vs. Research chemist
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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from chemical laboratory technician resumes include skills like "lab equipment," "routine maintenance," "chemical processes," and "chromatography," whereas a research chemist is more likely to list skills in "laboratory equipment," "method development," "analytical chemistry," and "polymer. "
Research chemists earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $92,565. Chemical laboratory technicians earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $44,185.research chemists typically earn higher educational levels compared to chemical laboratory technicians. Specifically, they're 9.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 10.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Chemical laboratory technician vs. Assistant research scientist
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Types of chemical laboratory technician
Updated January 8, 2025
