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The differences between chemistry laboratory technicians and research technicians 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 a research technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research technician has an average salary of $43,034, 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 research technician are patients, data collection, and cell culture.
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Research Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,072 | $43,034 |
| Hourly rate | $19.27 | $20.69 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 43,043 | 64,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| 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.
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Chemistry laboratory technicians and research technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Research Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,072 | $43,034 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $49,000 | Between $31,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | Pasadena, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a chemistry laboratory technician and a research technician in terms of educational background:
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Research Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between chemistry laboratory technicians' and research technicians' demographics:
| Chemistry Laboratory Technician | Research Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3% | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% |
| 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, 12.0% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 16.5% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 6% |