Post job

Chemical research engineer vs plastics engineer

The differences between chemical research engineers and plastics engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chemical research engineer has an average salary of $94,803, which is higher than the $80,304 average annual salary of a plastics engineer.

The top three skills for a chemical research engineer include chemical engineering, synthesis and R. The most important skills for a plastics engineer are sigma, project management, and extrusion.

Chemical research engineer vs plastics engineer overview

Chemical Research EngineerPlastics Engineer
Yearly salary$94,803$80,304
Hourly rate$45.58$38.61
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs49,32847,267
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

Chemical research engineer vs plastics engineer salary

Chemical research engineers and plastics engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chemical Research EngineerPlastics Engineer
Average salary$94,803$80,304
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $128,000Between $60,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CityHouston, TXUnion City, CA
Highest paying stateTexasNew Mexico
Best paying companyBP America IncPfizer
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between chemical research engineer and plastics engineer education

There are a few differences between a chemical research engineer and a plastics engineer in terms of educational background:

Chemical Research EngineerPlastics Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringPlastics Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology

Chemical research engineer vs plastics engineer demographics

Here are the differences between chemical research engineers' and plastics engineers' demographics:

Chemical Research EngineerPlastics Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 69.9% Female, 30.1%Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 21.8% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 17.3% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between chemical research engineer and plastics engineer duties and responsibilities

Chemical research engineer example responsibilities.

  • Prepare research proposals for the synthesis of small molecules to attain designate department goals.
  • Support projects with detail analysis including SEM, spectroscopy, etc.
  • Observe modified surfaces of nanofibrils cellulose with scanning electron microscope (SEM).
  • Synthesize and characterize colloidal room-temperature ferromagnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.
  • Help develop new products, produce data and run experiments.
  • Process NMR data both manually and electronically to find coupling constants and other information relevant to elucidation of the chemical structure.

Plastics engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
  • Prove out a new rapid prototyping technique.
  • Investigate and develop some of the latest rapid prototyping methods.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in statistical process control (SPC), analyze data and calculate capability study using SQC pack software.
  • Conduct engine fit and function tests with prototype electrical hardware to ensure product meets customer requirements in performance and durability.
  • Study abroad in Ireland and Spain learning about sustainability in engineering, including renewable energy types and energy conservation techniques

Chemical research engineer vs plastics engineer skills

Common chemical research engineer skills
  • Chemical Engineering, 35%
  • Synthesis, 16%
  • R, 6%
  • Analytical Methods, 6%
  • Chemical Processes, 6%
  • Pilot Plant, 5%
Common plastics engineer skills
  • Sigma, 9%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Extrusion, 7%
  • CAD, 7%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • Product Design, 6%

Browse architecture and engineering jobs