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The differences between formulation technicians and chemistry technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a formulation technician and a chemistry technologist. Additionally, a formulation technician has an average salary of $48,107, which is higher than the $46,569 average annual salary of a chemistry technologist.
The top three skills for a formulation technician include lean manufacturing, FDA and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a chemistry technologist are lab equipment, chromatography, and analytical chemistry.
| Formulation Technician | Chemistry Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $48,107 | $46,569 |
| Hourly rate | $23.13 | $22.39 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 45,585 | 53,332 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Formulation Technicians are responsible for preparing and testing formulations samples to meet the research and development goals. Their duties include preparing samples for different formulations, undertaking pilot production studies, assessing storage stability, conducting physical property measuring, and performing chemical and physical formulation assessments. They facilitate global sampling, maintain an accurate record of study data, and participate in team meetings. Formulation Technicians also ensure that laboratory resources are up to acceptable standards and work is done to follow best practices, safety standards, and documented procedures.
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.
Formulation technicians and chemistry technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Formulation Technician | Chemistry Technologist | |
| Average salary | $48,107 | $46,569 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $75,000 | Between $33,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rockville, MD | New Haven, CT |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Boehringer Ingelheim | Tri-City Medical Center |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a formulation technician and a chemistry technologist in terms of educational background:
| Formulation Technician | Chemistry Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between formulation technicians' and chemistry technologists' demographics:
| Formulation Technician | Chemistry Technologist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% | Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 9.4% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |