Applications chemist vs research chemist

The differences between applications chemists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research chemist has an average salary of $75,843, which is higher than the $60,368 average annual salary of an applications chemist.

The top three skills for an applications chemist include R, analytical methods and technical support. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Applications chemist vs research chemist overview

	Applications Chemist	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$60,368	$75,843
Hourly rate	$29.02	$36.46
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	16,183	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

Applications chemist vs research chemist salary

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

	Applications Chemist	Research Chemist
Average salary	$60,368	$75,843
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $87,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Wilmington, DE	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	Delaware	Virginia
Best paying company	Agilent Technologies	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Energy

Differences between applications chemist and research chemist education

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

	Applications Chemist	Research Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Applications chemist vs research chemist demographics

Here are the differences between applications chemists' and research chemists' demographics:

	Applications Chemist	Research Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 61.9% Female, 38.1%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	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 Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between applications chemist and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Applications chemist example responsibilities.

Manage personnel in testing and support of TOC software and hardware features.
Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
Follow USEPA RCRA, SW-846, UST and NPDES protocols.
Perform asset valuation by HPLC/ UPLC and the preparation of final report.
Assist in ISO base development of IQ-OQ-PQ procedures for installation of NIR sensors.
Exhibit the viability for improvements to EPA and USP methodology using new Agilent GC columns phases and formats.

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.

Applications chemist vs research chemist skills

Common applications chemist skills

R, 10%
Analytical Methods, 8%
Technical Support, 7%
Method Development, 6%
Mass Spectrometers, 6%
Liquid Chromatography, 5%

Common research chemist skills

Laboratory Equipment, 10%
Method Development, 10%
R, 9%
HPLC, 5%
Analytical Chemistry, 5%
Polymer, 5%

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Applications Chemist
Applications Chemist vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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