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The differences between chemistry laboratory technicians and associate scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a chemistry laboratory technician, becoming an associate scientist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $40,072 average annual salary of a chemistry laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a chemistry laboratory technician include lab equipment, test results and laboratory tests. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Associate Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $40,072 | $76,461 |
| Hourly rate | $19.27 | $36.76 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 43,043 | 54,950 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A chemical laboratory technician is an individual who works in a designated laboratory to conduct analytical or lab-based tests on a variety of chemicals, materials, or products. Chemical laboratory technicians receive and test samples for quality assurance, safety inspection, or environmental impact. Under the supervision of chemists and other team members, they perform lab activities such as setting up lab equipment and preparing chemical solutions. Chemistry laboratory technicians can work in different industries such as pharmaceutical, mining, food, and environmental organizations.
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.
Chemistry laboratory technicians and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Associate Scientist | |
| Average salary | $40,072 | $76,461 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $49,000 | Between $53,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | Phillips 66 |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a chemistry laboratory technician and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Associate Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between chemistry laboratory technicians' and associate scientists' demographics:
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Associate Scientist | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3% | Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 9.2% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 Percentage | 9% | 8% |