Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between technical 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 technical scientist, becoming a chemical technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a technical scientist has an average salary of $90,867, which is higher than the $42,584 average annual salary of a chemical technician.
The top three skills for a technical scientist include molecular biology, GMP and data analysis. The most important skills for a chemical technician are lab equipment, safety procedures, and hazardous materials.
| Technical Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $90,867 | $42,584 |
| Hourly rate | $43.69 | $20.47 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 112,408 | 40,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A Technical Scientist is responsible for using established literature on laboratory techniques and basic scientific experimentation to improve processes and products. Their duties include developing solutions for routine and non-routine problems, evaluating workflow progress against objectives, inspect scientific data, and present laboratory results, and contribute to the implementation of new processes within a team. They must ensure compliance with safe working practice, quality standards, and its relevant environment and risk management system workplace guidelines. A Technical Scientist must have advanced knowledge in data analysis tools such as spreadsheets and have well-rounded communication skills for effective presentation to a wide demographic.
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.
Technical scientists and chemical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average salary | $90,867 | $42,584 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $125,000 | Between $30,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | California | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Apple | Calpine |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a technical scientist and a chemical technician in terms of educational background:
| Technical Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | 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 technical scientists' and chemical technicians' demographics:
| Technical Scientist | Chemical Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% 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% |