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Analytical chemist vs scientist

The differences between analytical chemists and scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $61,573 average annual salary of an analytical chemist.

The top three skills for an analytical chemist include method development, HPLC and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Analytical chemist vs scientist overview

Analytical ChemistScientist
Yearly salary$61,573$97,344
Hourly rate$29.60$46.80
Growth rate6%17%
Number of jobs14,66162,467
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

What does an analytical chemist do?

An Analytical Chemist uses a wide range of methods to investigate the chemical nature of substances. They analyze samples using different software, techniques, and equipment, and then interpret and report the results.

What does a scientist do?

A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.

Analytical chemist vs scientist salary

Analytical chemists and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Analytical ChemistScientist
Average salary$61,573$97,344
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $84,000Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CityMilford, MARedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateDelawareCalifornia
Best paying companyMicron TechnologyAirbnb
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between analytical chemist and scientist education

There are a few differences between an analytical chemist and a scientist in terms of educational background:

Analytical ChemistScientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Analytical chemist vs scientist demographics

Here are the differences between analytical chemists' and scientists' demographics:

Analytical ChemistScientist
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 59.6% Female, 40.4%Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 19.2% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%8%

Differences between analytical chemist and scientist duties and responsibilities

Analytical chemist example responsibilities.

  • Perform analysis of organic components on various samples using GC, AA, and wet chemical analysis.
  • Apply ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and AA to analyses of aqueous and acidic extracts of many geological materials.
  • Analyze generic pharmaceutical preparations utilizing HPLC and dissolution apparatus to ensure content and uniformity in accordance with FDA and USP monographs.
  • Develop novel FT-IR, UV/VIS stopped-flow kinetic methods.
  • Conduct UV/VIS and wet analyses of consumer product samples submit.
  • Develop ELISA and WB assays for host cell proteins and vaccine components.
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Scientist example responsibilities.

  • Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
  • Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
  • Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
  • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
  • Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
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Analytical chemist vs scientist skills

Common analytical chemist skills
  • Method Development, 9%
  • HPLC, 8%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 8%
  • GMP, 4%
  • GC, 4%
  • Ms, 4%
Common scientist skills
  • Chemistry, 9%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Molecular Biology, 4%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
  • Java, 3%

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