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The differences between chemist scientists and chemical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chemist scientist has an average salary of $82,078, which is higher than the $42,584 average annual salary of a chemical technician.
The top three skills for a chemist scientist include HPLC, uv/vis and R. The most important skills for a chemical technician are lab equipment, safety procedures, and hazardous materials.
| Chemist Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $82,078 | $42,584 |
| Hourly rate | $39.46 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 48,790 | 40,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
The main role of chemist scientists is to investigate the properties of matter in terms of molecules and atoms. The scientists measure the reaction rates and proportions to have a better understanding of unfamiliar substances and their behavior. They study how these substances may create new compounds for various practical applications. Their job is to introduce the chemical catalysts for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Also, they write reports and technical papers.
A chemical technician is responsible for supporting chemists and laboratory technicians in performing laboratory investigations and examining chemical components and structures. Chemical technicians ensure the stability of laboratory tools and equipment, performing proper sterilization and segregation of disposable materials, and maintaining the adequacy of inventory. They also record the research progress, including scientific methods, and write observation reports for reference. A chemical technician manages the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility to avoid potential hazards and complications during chemical operations.
Chemist scientists and chemical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chemist Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average salary | $82,078 | $42,584 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $119,000 | Between $30,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Entegris | Calpine |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a chemist scientist and a chemical technician in terms of educational background:
| Chemist Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon |
Here are the differences between chemist scientists' and chemical technicians' demographics:
| Chemist Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.3% Female, 36.7% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 20.5% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.9% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 9% |