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The differences between chemistry laboratory technicians and quality control chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a quality control chemist has an average salary of $58,892, 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 quality control chemist are QC, HPLC, and lab equipment.
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $40,072 | $58,892 |
| Hourly rate | $19.27 | $28.31 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 43,043 | 90,467 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
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.
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.
Chemistry laboratory technicians and quality control chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Average salary | $40,072 | $58,892 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $49,000 | Between $45,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | North Kingstown, RI |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | Hallstar |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a chemistry laboratory technician and a quality control chemist in terms of educational background:
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between chemistry laboratory technicians' and quality control chemists' demographics:
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3% | Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5% |
| 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, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 21.4% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |