Chemistry laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst

The differences between chemistry laboratory technicians and laboratory analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a chemistry laboratory technician and a laboratory analyst. Additionally, a laboratory analyst has an average salary of $44,024, 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 a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.

Chemistry laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst overview

	Chemistry Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Yearly salary	$40,072	$44,024
Hourly rate	$19.27	$21.17
Growth rate	4%	9%
Number of jobs	43,043	44,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	44	38
Years of experience	2	2

What does a chemistry laboratory technician do?

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.

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Chemistry laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst salary

Chemistry laboratory technicians and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chemistry Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average salary	$40,072	$44,024
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $49,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Denver, CO	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Maryland	New York
Best paying company	Zoetis	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Energy	Pharmaceutical

Differences between chemistry laboratory technician and laboratory analyst education

There are a few differences between a chemistry laboratory technician and a laboratory analyst in terms of educational background:

	Chemistry Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Chemistry laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst demographics

Here are the differences between chemistry laboratory technicians' and laboratory analysts' demographics:

	Chemistry Laboratory Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average age	44	38
Gender ratio	Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3%	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between chemistry laboratory technician and laboratory analyst duties and responsibilities

Chemistry laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Participate in audits by FDA and ISO.
Assist in preparing and storing laboratory experiments.-Guide students through laboratory procedure.-collect student data for HPLC, GC/MS, and NMR samples.
Skil in characterization of compounds using 1HNMR , 13CNMR, IR, GC, UV-Vis spec.
Train mill trainees on ISO procedures.
Inventory lab chemicals and MSDS sheets.
Maintain and repair FTIR and UV-Vis spectrophotometers.

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Chemistry laboratory technician vs laboratory analyst skills

Common chemistry laboratory technician skills

Lab Equipment, 12%
Test Results, 7%
Laboratory Tests, 5%
Chemistry Laboratory, 4%
Safety Procedures, 4%
HPLC, 4%

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

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Chemistry Laboratory Technician
Chemistry Laboratory Technician vs Laboratory Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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