Junior chemist vs laboratory research assistant

The differences between junior chemists and laboratory research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a junior chemist has an average salary of $64,002, which is higher than the $36,537 average annual salary of a laboratory research assistant.

The top three skills for a junior chemist include lab equipment, R and HPLC. The most important skills for a laboratory research assistant are data collection, patients, and laboratory equipment.

Junior chemist vs laboratory research assistant overview

	Junior Chemist	Laboratory Research Assistant
Yearly salary	$64,002	$36,537
Hourly rate	$30.77	$17.57
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	13,461	87,343
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age	42	38
Years of experience	-	2

What does a junior chemist do?

A Junior Chemist prepares test solutions, compounds, and reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct the test. They work under the supervision of a senior chemist.

What does a laboratory research assistant do?

A laboratory research assistant is an individual who performs lab experiments and carries out projects designed by senior lab staff members. Laboratory research assistants design and conduct experiments using biohazards and other dangerous materials to gain information and test scientific processes. They must write detailed reports of their research and experiments and then deliver these reports in written and verbal forms. Laboratory research assistants may also work in different settings such as medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies.

Junior chemist vs laboratory research assistant salary

Junior chemists and laboratory research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Junior Chemist	Laboratory Research Assistant
Average salary	$64,002	$36,537
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $110,000	Between $24,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	East Windsor, NJ	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Delaware	Massachusetts
Best paying company	APTIM	New York University
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Education

Differences between junior chemist and laboratory research assistant education

There are a few differences between a junior chemist and a laboratory research assistant in terms of educational background:

	Junior Chemist	Laboratory Research Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	University of Southern California	Harvard University

Junior chemist vs laboratory research assistant demographics

Here are the differences between junior chemists' and laboratory research assistants' demographics:

	Junior Chemist	Laboratory Research Assistant
Average age	42	38
Gender ratio	Male, 58.2% Female, 41.8%	Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 19.7% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	5%	8%

Differences between junior chemist and laboratory research assistant duties and responsibilities

Junior chemist example responsibilities.

Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
Process laboratory data to ensure efficiency of plant operations and troubleshoot unexpect conditions to prevent an upset within the plant.
Solve the quality issues with Zithromax SDD extrusion during a systems audit of the start up process, in Vega Baja.
Provide general support to the custom mixing and extrusion departments in day-to-day operations.

Laboratory research assistant example responsibilities.

Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
Maintain microbial culture and isolate and purify bacterial and viral DNA and RNA to study the genome of common pathogenic bacteria.
Perform protein extraction on larvae.
Perform biological assays, including ELISA and RT-PCR.
Gain extensive MLST, RT-PCR, conventional PCR, primer design and gel-electrophoresis experience.

Junior chemist vs laboratory research assistant skills

Common junior chemist skills

Lab Equipment, 17%
R, 8%
HPLC, 6%
PH Meter, 5%
QC, 5%
Analytical Instruments, 5%

Common laboratory research assistant skills

Data Collection, 5%
Patients, 5%
Laboratory Equipment, 5%
Lab Procedures, 5%
Laboratory Techniques, 5%
Molecular Biology, 4%

Junior Chemist vs. similar jobs

Junior Chemist related careers

Junior Chemist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Junior Chemist
Junior Chemist vs Laboratory Research Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs