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Analytical research chemist vs production chemist

The differences between analytical research chemists and production chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an analytical research chemist has an average salary of $81,763, which is higher than the $62,937 average annual salary of a production chemist.

The top three skills for an analytical research chemist include liquid chromatography, R and HPLC. The most important skills for a production chemist are GMP, laboratory equipment, and synthesis.

Analytical research chemist vs production chemist overview

Analytical Research ChemistProduction Chemist
Yearly salary$81,763$62,937
Hourly rate$39.31$30.26
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs62,28958,948
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does an analytical research chemist do?

An Analytical Research Chemist works on analyzing and interpreting data generated from experiments to aid other research. They organize and produce reports and findings, which scientists will use to create principles, ideas, and strategies in the scientific field. Included in a research chemist's primary responsibilities are the maintenance of the laboratory, organizing documents, and inventory of supplies and equipment.

What does a production chemist do?

A production chemist is responsible for conducting research and laboratory experiments to identify chemical resources that support the manufacturing of industrial products and services. Production chemists strategize on effective methods to maximize the product's quality and efficiency, following safety regulations and legislation procedures. They also run quality checks on the components to verify their safety and minimize their environmental effect. A production chemist must have excellent organizational and critical-thinking skills, as well as having extensive knowledge of the scientific industry.

Analytical research chemist vs production chemist salary

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

Analytical Research ChemistProduction Chemist
Average salary$81,763$62,937
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $123,000Between $38,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAPennsauken, NJ
Highest paying stateWashingtonDelaware
Best paying companyMetaBio-Rad Laboratories
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between analytical research chemist and production chemist education

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

Analytical Research ChemistProduction Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of Southern California

Analytical research chemist vs production chemist demographics

Here are the differences between analytical research chemists' and production chemists' demographics:

Analytical Research ChemistProduction Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 58.3% Female, 41.7%Male, 70.4% Female, 29.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 22.9% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 24.4% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between analytical research chemist and production chemist duties and responsibilities

Analytical research chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
  • Maintain laboratory instrumentation (HPLC).
  • Gain experience of working in GLP environment.
  • Perform hands-on HPLC methods, cleaning validations, and finish product testing
  • Maintain equipment logbooks for laboratory instruments toward compliance of cGMP and GLP.
  • Develop numerous LC and GC analytical methods for drug product components and formulations.
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Production chemist example responsibilities.

  • Lead the team in the isolation and purification of critical enzymes vital to the manufacture of diagnostic medical reagents.
  • Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
  • Experience with running ELISA as well as SDS-PAGE.
  • Coordinate with technicians on ELISA performance and troubleshooting.
  • Perform UPLC, FTIR, and moisture analysis.
  • Perform in-process and finish products sample testing using HPLC.
  • Show more

Analytical research chemist vs production chemist skills

Common analytical research chemist skills
  • Liquid Chromatography, 12%
  • R, 9%
  • HPLC, 7%
  • GC, 5%
  • Ms, 5%
  • Analytical Techniques, 4%
Common production chemist skills
  • GMP, 13%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%
  • Synthesis, 8%
  • ISO, 7%
  • R, 5%
  • Safety Guidelines, 4%

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