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The differences between formulation technicians and laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a formulation technician, becoming a laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a formulation technician has an average salary of $48,107, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a formulation technician include lean manufacturing, FDA and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Formulation Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $48,107 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $23.13 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 45,585 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
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.
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Formulation technicians and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Formulation Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $48,107 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $75,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rockville, MD | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Boehringer Ingelheim | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a formulation technician and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Formulation Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | New York University |
Here are the differences between formulation technicians' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Formulation Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |