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The differences between process chemists and chemical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a process chemist has an average salary of $81,542, which is higher than the $42,584 average annual salary of a chemical technician.
The top three skills for a process chemist include lab equipment, HPLC and R. The most important skills for a chemical technician are lab equipment, safety procedures, and hazardous materials.
| Process Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $81,542 | $42,584 |
| Hourly rate | $39.20 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 29,813 | 40,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
Process chemists are lab professionals who perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of chemicals in laboratories for quality control or to develop new products. These chemists are required to develop synthetic plans and run experiments to test their suitability for large-scale use. They must use different analytical methods and modeling software to monitor the reaction processes of chemicals as well as determine how changes in the process affect the final product. Process chemists must also be familiar with regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
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.
Process chemists and chemical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average salary | $81,542 | $42,584 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $121,000 | Between $30,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Bio-Rad Laboratories | Calpine |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a process chemist and a chemical technician in terms of educational background:
| Process Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon |
Here are the differences between process chemists' and chemical technicians' demographics:
| Process Chemist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 20.5% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 5% | 9% |