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The differences between forensic chemists and chemical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a forensic chemist has an average salary of $56,597, which is higher than the $42,584 average annual salary of a chemical technician.
The top three skills for a forensic chemist include ms, GC and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a chemical technician are lab equipment, safety procedures, and hazardous materials.
| Forensic Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $56,597 | $42,584 |
| Hourly rate | $27.21 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 7,902 | 40,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
A forensic chemist analyzes non-biological trace evidence at crime scenes for the determination of unknown materials. Forensic chemists apply chemistry and its subfield forensic toxicology and employ the scientific method to investigate the presented evidence. The result of their analysis provides investigators and medical examiners the necessary information for logical conclusions on probable crimes. Patience and versatility are often cited as the important qualities forensic chemists need to acquire.
A chemical technician is responsible for supporting chemists and laboratory technicians in performing laboratory investigations and examining chemical components and structures. Chemical technicians ensure the stability of laboratory tools and equipment, performing proper sterilization and segregation of disposable materials, and maintaining the adequacy of inventory. They also record the research progress, including scientific methods, and write observation reports for reference. A chemical technician manages the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility to avoid potential hazards and complications during chemical operations.
Forensic chemists and chemical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forensic Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average salary | $56,597 | $42,584 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $80,000 | Between $30,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | - | Maryland |
| Best paying company | - | Calpine |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a forensic chemist and a chemical technician in terms of educational background:
| Forensic Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon |
Here are the differences between forensic chemists' and chemical technicians' demographics:
| Forensic Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.9% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 9% |