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Chemist assistant vs associate scientist

The differences between chemist assistants and associate scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $51,817 average annual salary of a chemist assistant.

The top three skills for a chemist assistant include laboratory instruments, product quality and chemical analysis. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.

Chemist assistant vs associate scientist overview

Chemist AssistantAssociate Scientist
Yearly salary$51,817$76,461
Hourly rate$24.91$36.76
Growth rate6%17%
Number of jobs6,14454,950
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

What does a chemist assistant do?

Chemist assistants maintain laboratory readiness in supporting the production and contingency operations for instrument maintenance and personnel training. The assistants manage daily laboratory operations such as conducting and recording instrument maintenance. They develop minimum product property tolerances and production standards. It is their job to monitor the quality of products to ensure standard compliance. Also, they support capacity expansion projects, product quality projects, and process improvement initiatives.

What does an associate scientist do?

An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.

Chemist assistant vs associate scientist salary

Chemist assistants and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chemist AssistantAssociate Scientist
Average salary$51,817$76,461
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $87,000Between $53,000 And $109,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Phillips 66
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between chemist assistant and associate scientist education

There are a few differences between a chemist assistant and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:

Chemist AssistantAssociate Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorChemistryBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Chemist assistant vs associate scientist demographics

Here are the differences between chemist assistants' and associate scientists' demographics:

Chemist AssistantAssociate Scientist
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 56.3% Female, 43.7%Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 18.3% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%8%

Differences between chemist assistant and associate scientist duties and responsibilities

Chemist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
  • Take initiative to be cross-train in chemistry methods used by the company to perform additional tests that ensure uninterrupt laboratory operation.
  • Conduct enzyme assays and performance testing with different enzymes in liquid and powder detergent formulations.

Associate scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
  • Generate crispr knockout STAT1, STAT3 and STAT1 & 3double knockout cell lines.
  • Use CRISPR technology to create target knockout cell line.
  • Direct ISO 9000 4.10 team registration activities and perform internal audits.
  • Prepare stock reagents and buffers for use in manufacturing assay kits.
  • Confirm the quality of product meet specifications according to cGMP and ICH guidelines.
  • Show more

Chemist assistant vs associate scientist skills

Common chemist assistant skills
  • Laboratory Instruments, 27%
  • Product Quality, 13%
  • Chemical Analysis, 6%
  • HPLC, 5%
  • Analytical Instrumentation, 4%
  • Lab Equipment, 4%
Common associate scientist skills
  • Chemistry, 9%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Cell Culture, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • GMP, 4%
  • Lab Equipment, 3%

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