Associate chemist vs research chemist

The differences between associate 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 $61,544 average annual salary of an associate chemist.

The top three skills for an associate chemist include lab equipment, HPLC and method development. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Associate chemist vs research chemist overview

	Associate Chemist	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$61,544	$75,843
Hourly rate	$29.59	$36.46
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	7,387	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

What does an associate chemist do?

An Associate Chemist performs and analyzes chemical tests and procedures. They maintain the stock of drugs and ensure that they are stored in a secure place.

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.

Associate chemist vs research chemist salary

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

	Associate Chemist	Research Chemist
Average salary	$61,544	$75,843
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $97,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Worcester, MA	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	Virginia	Virginia
Best paying company	Alere	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Energy	Energy

Differences between associate chemist and research chemist education

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

	Associate Chemist	Research Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Associate chemist vs research chemist demographics

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

	Associate Chemist	Research Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.1% White, 59.5% 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 associate chemist and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Associate chemist example responsibilities.

Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
Utilize GC, UV/vis, FT-IR, pH meter, and titration
Assay ointments and liquids per company test methods and USP procedures.
Utilize and maintain, TLC, GC, IR, UV/VIS Spectro-photometer and Karl Fischer
Utilize GC, UV and FTIR spectroscopy for products identification of reaction of o-cresol with nitric acid.
Operate and maintain analytical instruments such as FTIR, DSC and TGA.

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.

Associate chemist vs research chemist skills

Common associate chemist skills

Lab Equipment, 9%
HPLC, 8%
Method Development, 6%
Ms, 4%
Product Development, 4%
Analytical Methods, 4%

Common research chemist skills

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

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Associate Chemist
Associate Chemist vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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