Research assistant, chemistry department vs research laboratory technician

The differences between research assistants, chemistry department and research laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a research assistant, chemistry department and a research laboratory technician. Additionally, a research assistant, chemistry department has an average salary of $64,402, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a research assistant, chemistry department include NMR, SEM and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.

Research assistant, chemistry department vs research laboratory technician overview

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Research Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$64,402	$38,308
Hourly rate	$30.96	$18.42
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	74,916	86,476
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Research assistant, chemistry department vs research laboratory technician salary

Research assistants, chemistry department and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Research Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$64,402	$38,308
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $91,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Chicago, IL
Highest paying state	-	Illinois
Best paying company	-	Accenture
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between research assistant, chemistry department and research laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a research assistant, chemistry department and a research laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Research Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Cornell University	Cornell University

Research assistant, chemistry department vs research laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between research assistants, chemistry department' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Research Laboratory Technician
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6%	Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 19.0% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between research assistant, chemistry department and research laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Research assistant, chemistry department example responsibilities.

Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
Work with familiarization level proficiency in the use of spectroscopy, electrophoresis and other quantitative analytical techniques.
Synthesize a single strand DNA sensor.
Research relate to gas absorption with hydrogen fuel cell applications.
Prepare numerous chemical solution samples for analysis and various buffers used for CE and HPLC analysis.
Develop HPLC methods and analyze organic compounds.

Research laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage RT-PCR screening of candidate genes.
Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Use many scientific techniques to collect and analyze RNA, DNA, and specific proteins from lines of potato plants.
Preform computational molecular simulation of DNA and RNA.
Retain patients from previous research projects and update database using patient histories and correlating pertinent medical data.
Work with non human primates in an HIV testing laboratory.

Research assistant, chemistry department vs research laboratory technician skills

Common research assistant, chemistry department skills

NMR, 13%
SEM, 9%
Laboratory Equipment, 8%
DR, 7%
Nmr Spectroscopy, 6%
Organic Synthesis, 5%

Common research laboratory technician skills

Patients, 9%
Chemistry, 7%
Laboratory Equipment, 7%
Cell Culture, 5%
Research Data, 4%
Research Projects, 4%

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Research Assistant, Chemistry Department
Research Assistant, Chemistry Department vs Research Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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