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The differences between process scientists and chemical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a process scientist, becoming a chemical technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a process scientist has an average salary of $92,203, which is higher than the $42,584 average annual salary of a chemical technician.
The top three skills for a process scientist include chemistry, GMP and cell culture. The most important skills for a chemical technician are lab equipment, safety procedures, and hazardous materials.
| Process Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $92,203 | $42,584 |
| Hourly rate | $44.33 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 67,699 | 40,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
In a manufacturing environment, a process scientist is primarily in charge of developing products and procedures, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify market and client needs, gathering and analyzing extensive data, assessing existing practices to determine its strengths and weaknesses, improving vulnerable areas, and monitoring the progress of all operations, implementing solutions as necessary. Aside from performing various experiments for product development, a process scientist may also collaborate with other experts and train junior scientists in the joint effort to deliver quality products and services to clients.
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 scientists and chemical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average salary | $92,203 | $42,584 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $124,000 | Between $30,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Tennessee | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Calpine |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a process scientist and a chemical technician in terms of educational background:
| Process Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | 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 scientists' and chemical technicians' demographics:
| Process Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 8% | 9% |