Laboratory analyst vs chemistry laboratory assistant

The differences between laboratory analysts and chemistry laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a laboratory analyst and a chemistry laboratory assistant. Additionally, a laboratory analyst has an average salary of $44,024, which is higher than the $30,971 average annual salary of a chemistry laboratory assistant.

The top three skills for a laboratory analyst include test methods, lab equipment and lims. The most important skills for a chemistry laboratory assistant are lab equipment, lab safety, and chemistry lab.

Laboratory analyst vs chemistry laboratory assistant overview

	Laboratory Analyst	Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
Yearly salary	$44,024	$30,971
Hourly rate	$21.17	$14.89
Growth rate	9%	4%
Number of jobs	44,074	40,180
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age	38	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

What does a chemistry laboratory assistant do?

Chemical Laboratory Assistants are professionals who help researchers and scientists in performing lab experiments and tests. Their tasks involve the maintenance, cleanliness, or sterilization of laboratory equipment or instruments. They perform physical or chemical laboratory tests assisting scientists in the quantitative or qualitative analyses of liquids, gaseous materials, and solids. The necessary skills and knowledge for this job include chemistry, lab reporting, chemical solutions, and safety procedures.

Laboratory analyst vs chemistry laboratory assistant salary

Laboratory analysts and chemistry laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laboratory Analyst	Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
Average salary	$44,024	$30,971
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $62,000	Between $16,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Hartford, CT
Highest paying state	New York	Rhode Island
Best paying company	AbbVie	Pace University
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Education

Differences between laboratory analyst and chemistry laboratory assistant education

There are a few differences between a laboratory analyst and a chemistry laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:

	Laboratory Analyst	Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common major	Biology	Chemistry
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Laboratory analyst vs chemistry laboratory assistant demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory analysts' and chemistry laboratory assistants' demographics:

	Laboratory Analyst	Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
Average age	38	44
Gender ratio	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%	Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 9.5% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	8%	9%

Differences between laboratory analyst and chemistry laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Chemistry laboratory assistant example responsibilities.

Comfort frighten patients and maintain an exceptionally bright professional demeanor to accomplish a procedure that makes most people very uncomfortable.
Prepare buffer solutions, separate DNA, dissect baby mice, and perform general lab procedures.
Facilitate placement and organization of equipment for new laboratory including HPLC, GC-MS, UV-VIS, and DSC.
Maintain GC/FID, GC/MS and LC/MS systems.
Purify total RNA out of scallop muscle tissue.
Maintain proper records and documentation of DNA sequencing products.

Laboratory analyst vs chemistry laboratory assistant skills

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

Common chemistry laboratory assistant skills

Lab Equipment, 39%
Lab Safety, 13%
Chemistry Lab, 6%
Lab Experiments, 4%
Lab Reports, 3%
Analytical Chemistry, 2%

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Laboratory Analyst vs Chemistry Laboratory Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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