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.
Chemistry technologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real chemistry technologist resumes:
- 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.
- Use titration techniques to upkeep bath chemicals for wire production.
- Used LIMS to receive and locate incoming and out going orders.
- Analyze pharmaceutical raw materials as per USP using assays, kits, TLC.
- Calibrate scales, ovens and other machinery before each use according to ISO standards.
- Perform method verification per USP, EP, JP monograph and write final reports.
- Perform trace hydrofluoric acid analysis, on semi conductor gasses, using standard burette titration methods.
- Study adsorption of petroleum hydrocarbons by hydrophobic resins with column chromatography.
- Conduct GC analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons and HPLC analysis of pesticides.
- Operate and maintain GC-MS and GC-FID instruments.
Chemistry technologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Chemistry Technologists are proficient in Lab Equipment, Chromatography, and Analytical Chemistry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to use technology, Observation skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Chemistry Technologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lab Equipment, 8%
Cleaned lab equipment, recycled products and basic lab maintenance.
- Chromatography, 6%
Prepared and analyzed numerous chemical solvents using Mass Spectrometers, Infrared Spectrometers and Gas Chromatography systems while maintaining good laboratory practices.
- Analytical Chemistry, 5%
Perform analytical chemistry testing using IC and HPLC instrumentation.
- HPLC, 4%
Conducted GC analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons and HPLC analysis of pesticides.
- Sample Preparation, 4%
Write and develop standard operating procedures for sample preparation and instrumentation.
- Laboratory Procedures, 4%
Identified and analyzed materials in specific laboratory procedures to verify accuracy and efficiency in standard operating procedures.
"lab equipment," "chromatography," and "analytical chemistry" are among the most common skills that chemistry technologists use at work. You can find even more chemistry technologist responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. A big part of what chemistry technologists do relies on "analytical skills." You can see how essential it is to chemistry technologist responsibilities because "chemical technicians must be methodical in conducting scientific experiments and interpreting data." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical chemistry technologist tasks: "documented all recorded data in laboratory notebooks that were in compliance with all fda, glp/gmp guidelines. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in chemistry technologist job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what chemistry technologists do. Chemistry technologist responsibilities rely on this skill because "chemical technicians must explain their work to scientists and engineers or to workers who may not have a technical background." You can also see how chemistry technologist duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "ordered supplies for the department core strengths and skills organization microsoft office project management data analysis verbal and written communication thorough documentation"
The three companies that hire the most chemistry technologists are:
- Mérieux NutriSciences13 chemistry technologists jobs
- Waters5 chemistry technologists jobs
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings4 chemistry technologists jobs
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Compare different chemistry technologists
Chemistry technologist vs. Quality control analyst
Quality assurance representatives are professionals who are responsible for ensuring the quality of units produced or manufactured is following the standards set by the industry. These representatives supervise the entire production process to identify erroneous methods or tools being used by workers and observing produced for visible defects. They are required to perform various tests to check for the durability of the product and other desirable characteristics. Quality assurance representatives must also collaborate with the manufacturing engineer to implement quality control programs and preparing training manuals and quality guidelines.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between chemistry technologists and quality control analyst. For instance, chemistry technologist responsibilities require skills such as "analytical chemistry," "sample preparation," "laboratory procedures," and "gmp." Whereas a quality control analyst is skilled in "qc," "test methods," "analytical methods," and "test procedures." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Quality control analysts tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,870. In contrast, chemistry technologists make the biggest average salary, $49,573, in the utilities industry.The education levels that quality control analysts earn slightly differ from chemistry technologists. In particular, quality control analysts are 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a chemistry technologist. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Chemistry technologist vs. Associate scientist
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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real chemistry technologist resumes. While chemistry technologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "analytical chemistry," "laboratory procedures," "wet chemistry," and "test results," associate scientists use skills like "chemistry," "patients," "cell culture," and "flow cytometry."
Associate scientists earn a higher average salary than chemistry technologists. But associate scientists earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $80,987. Additionally, chemistry technologists earn the highest salaries in the utilities with average pay of $49,573 annually.In general, associate scientists achieve higher levels of education than chemistry technologists. They're 10.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for chemistry technologists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Chemistry technologist vs. Research and development scientist
A research and development scientist specializes in conducting scientific studies and experiments to develop new products and technologies. They usually work at laboratories where they are in charge of conducting research and assessments, coming up with new ideas, performing tests, streamlining product requirements and guidelines, collaborating with fellow experts, utilizing previous studies and advanced software, and maintaining records of all procedures. Additionally, as a research and development scientist, it is essential to conduct reviews and assessments to ensure products adhere to safety standards and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, chemistry technologists are more likely to have skills like "lab equipment," "chromatography," "analytical chemistry," and "sample preparation." But a research and development scientist is more likely to have skills like "patients," "python," "technical support," and "c++."
Research and development scientists earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $91,180. Chemistry technologists earn the highest pay from the utilities industry, with an average salary of $49,573.research and development scientists typically earn higher educational levels compared to chemistry technologists. Specifically, they're 10.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 8.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Chemistry technologist vs. Research scientist
The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.
Types of chemistry technologist
Updated January 8, 2025
