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The differences between formulation chemists and chemical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a formulation chemist has an average salary of $66,678, which is higher than the $42,584 average annual salary of a chemical technician.
The top three skills for a formulation chemist include scale-up, R and product development. The most important skills for a chemical technician are lab equipment, safety procedures, and hazardous materials.
| Formulation Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $66,678 | $42,584 |
| Hourly rate | $32.06 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 3,011 | 40,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
A formulation chemist is responsible for generating new concepts for product development that adhere to quality standards and safety regulations. Formulation chemists identify product opportunities by analyzing the current industry trends, developing cost-reduction initiatives, and determining efficient formulations through in-depth research and laboratory experiments. They write formulation reports and product processing, collaborating with the marketing and sales team for brand promotion and awareness. A formulation chemist must have a critical understanding of scientific methods, including chemical mixing, to achieve desired outputs.
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.
Formulation chemists and chemical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Formulation Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average salary | $66,678 | $42,584 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $94,000 | Between $30,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Frederick, MD | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Apple | Calpine |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a formulation chemist and a chemical technician in terms of educational background:
| Formulation Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon |
Here are the differences between formulation chemists' and chemical technicians' demographics:
| Formulation Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.6% Female, 39.4% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.6% White, 59.3% 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% |