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Chemistry technologist vs scientist

The differences between chemistry technologists and 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 technologist, becoming a scientist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $46,569 average annual salary of a chemistry technologist.

The top three skills for a chemistry technologist include lab equipment, chromatography and analytical chemistry. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Chemistry technologist vs scientist overview

Chemistry TechnologistScientist
Yearly salary$46,569$97,344
Hourly rate$22.39$46.80
Growth rate4%17%
Number of jobs53,33262,467
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4441
Years of experience24

What does a chemistry technologist do?

A chemistry technologist is responsible for evaluating chemical components and processes by performing laboratory tests and investigations to support scientific studies and claims. Chemistry technologists develop chemical solutions to create and improve existing features of commercial products and enhance the quality standards. They utilize various laboratory tools and equipment and ensure stability and efficiency to avoid potential hazards and generate accurate results. A chemistry technologist must have excellent scientific and critical-thinking skills to identify opportunities for chemical purposes and production processes.

What does a scientist do?

A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.

Chemistry technologist vs scientist salary

Chemistry technologists and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chemistry TechnologistScientist
Average salary$46,569$97,344
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $65,000Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CityNew Haven, CTRedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandCalifornia
Best paying companyTri-City Medical CenterAirbnb
Best paying industryUtilitiesTechnology

Differences between chemistry technologist and scientist education

There are a few differences between a chemistry technologist and a scientist in terms of educational background:

Chemistry TechnologistScientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Southern California

Chemistry technologist vs scientist demographics

Here are the differences between chemistry technologists' and scientists' demographics:

Chemistry TechnologistScientist
Average age4441
Gender ratioMale, 52.8% Female, 47.2%Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 9.3% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between chemistry technologist and scientist duties and responsibilities

Chemistry technologist example responsibilities.

  • Train in performing GLP (research testing regulate by the FDA).
  • Perform daily chemical production work following ISO and GMP guidelines; additionally create and monitor the production schedule.
  • Perform analysis of plant fluids utilizing AA, ICP, HPLC, GC, gamma spectroscopy, and liquid scintillation.
  • Used GC (gas chromatography) analysis to determine the amount of trans fat in salad oil, ensuring customers specifications.
  • Work in a regulate GLP lab setting.
  • Enter and maintain data and other files in LIMS.
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Scientist example responsibilities.

  • Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
  • Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
  • Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
  • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
  • Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
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Chemistry technologist vs scientist skills

Common chemistry technologist skills
  • Lab Equipment, 8%
  • Chromatography, 6%
  • Analytical Chemistry, 5%
  • HPLC, 4%
  • Sample Preparation, 4%
  • Laboratory Procedures, 4%
Common scientist skills
  • Chemistry, 9%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Molecular Biology, 4%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
  • Java, 3%

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