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The differences between formulation scientists and chemical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a formulation scientist, becoming a chemical technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a formulation scientist has an average salary of $90,067, which is higher than the $42,584 average annual salary of a chemical technician.
The top three skills for a formulation scientist include dosage forms, scale-up and GMP. The most important skills for a chemical technician are lab equipment, safety procedures, and hazardous materials.
| Formulation Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $90,067 | $42,584 |
| Hourly rate | $43.30 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 45,763 | 40,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A formulation scientist specializes in conducting different scientific experiments to create new products and enhance existing formulations. They usually work at laboratories to establish plans and objectives, conduct extensive research and analyses to design and develop a formula, create test structures to evaluate products, and set strategies to meet budgets, goals, and timelines. They also assess existing products to determine their weaknesses and strengths, developing solutions against potential issues and existing problems. Additionally, a formulation scientist maintains records of all procedures and implements protocols and safety regulations.
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 scientists and chemical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Formulation Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average salary | $90,067 | $42,584 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $126,000 | Between $30,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | California | Maryland |
| Best paying company | BioMarin | Calpine |
| Best paying industry | Agriculture | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a formulation scientist and a chemical technician in terms of educational background:
| Formulation Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Pharmacy | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon |
Here are the differences between formulation scientists' and chemical technicians' demographics:
| Formulation Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.6% Female, 38.4% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 32.9% White, 47.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 8% | 9% |