Post job

Analytical scientist vs research chemist

The differences between analytical scientists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an analytical scientist has an average salary of $90,807, which is higher than the $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.

The top three skills for an analytical scientist include HPLC, GMP and analytical chemistry. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Analytical scientist vs research chemist overview

Analytical ScientistResearch Chemist
Yearly salary$90,807$75,843
Hourly rate$43.66$36.46
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs52,83253,769
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4142
Years of experience4-

What does an analytical scientist do?

The duties of an analytical scientist depend on their place or industry of employment. An analytical scientist specializes in conducting tests and experiments using different analytical techniques to identify or develop chemical compositions. Their tasks typically revolve around maintaining extensive documentation of all procedures, reviewing and interpreting results, and summarizing them for reports and other documentation. Moreover, an analytical scientist may coordinate with other scientists on projects, prepare presentations for different audiences, and even train junior scientists.

What does a research chemist do?

A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.

Analytical scientist vs research chemist salary

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

Analytical ScientistResearch Chemist
Average salary$90,807$75,843
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $125,000Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CitySan Rafael, CAMcLean, VA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVirginia
Best paying companyGoogleBP America Inc
Best paying industryAutomotiveEnergy

Differences between analytical scientist and research chemist education

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

Analytical ScientistResearch Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Analytical scientist vs research chemist demographics

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

Analytical ScientistResearch Chemist
Average age4142
Gender ratioMale, 56.2% Female, 43.8%Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.7% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 22.2% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%5%

Differences between analytical scientist and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Analytical scientist example responsibilities.

  • Major responsibility are to develop, enhance and validate LC-MS/MS methods and to manage regulate GLP bioanalysis.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Perform stability testing using UV/Vis and HPLC for assay, relate compound, and dissolution to support the regulatory compliance.
  • Generate technical reports and collaborate with QC for validation and assay transfer.
  • Perform USP water testing and disintegration testing.
  • Formulate analysis for methods by GC & ICP.
  • Show more

Research chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the CDS and LIMS systems for the institute.
  • Manage and record experimental data with lab management software (LIMS).
  • Manage projects involving the development of GC/MS methods, particle collection systems, and Raman spectral database creation.
  • Characterize the particles using SEM, DSC, IR, and UV-Vis.
  • Identify sample structure using microscopy, crystallography, NMR, UV/VIS, GC and AAS.
  • Develop GC & FTIR instrumental methods of analysis to support quality of incoming raw materials to ensure quality of finish products.
  • Show more

Analytical scientist vs research chemist skills

Common analytical scientist skills
  • HPLC, 8%
  • GMP, 5%
  • Analytical Chemistry, 5%
  • Java, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • QC, 3%
Common research chemist skills
  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%
  • Method Development, 10%
  • R, 9%
  • HPLC, 5%
  • Analytical Chemistry, 5%
  • Polymer, 5%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs