The dictionary offers the following:
technologist — a person who specializes in technology
technician — specialist in industrial techniques: somebody who is skilled in industrial techniques or the practical application of a science
But if I look at Wikipedia's entry they give the following list:
- Applied Science Technologist, a Canadian professional title in engineering and applied science technology
- Architectural technologist, a specialist in the technology of building design and construction
- Cardiovascular technologist, a health specialist who uses imaging technology to help diagnose cardiac and vascular ailments
- Chemical technologist, a worker who provides technical support or services in chemical-related fields
- Educational technologist, a specialist in tools to enhance learning
- Electrical Technologist, a person whose knowledge lies between that of an electrical engineer and an electrical tradesperson
- Engineering technologist, a specialist who implements technology within a field of engineering
- Industrial technologist, a specialist in the management, operation, and maintenance of complex operation systems
- Medical technologist, a healthcare professional who performs diagnostic analysis on a variety of body fluids
- Polysomnographic technologist, a health specialist who administers overnight polysomnograms
- Professional Technologist, a Canadian professional title in engineering and technology related fields
- Radiologic technologist, a medical professional who applies doses of radiation for imaging and treatment
- Surgical technologist, a health specialist who facilitates the conduct of invasive surgical procedures
This usage seems to suggest some variant of "technician". Wikipedia even redirects many of the equivalent "technician" articles to the corresponding "technologist" article (e.g. chemical technician; x-ray technician).
Where did "technologist" come from? Are these professions simply relabeling "technicians" as "technologists" or is there a significant difference between a "technologist" and a "technician"?
Best Answer
It sounds a lot like title inflation to me, to avoid the perception of a technician as a someone who simply applies technological solutions in a more or less routine, rote manner.
As for "technologist" itself, Dictionary.com says it dates back to the mid-19th century. I would say that it sounds like a broad term that can encompass technicians, engineers, inventors, (technical) evangelists, etc, but most of the usages I've found could just as easily have used "technician". So I'm sticking with simple job title inflation as the explanation for the popularity of the word, and technologist=technician.