Chemist, development vs research chemist

The differences between chemists, development 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 $71,571 average annual salary of a chemist, development.

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

Chemist, development vs research chemist overview

	Chemist, Development	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$71,571	$75,843
Hourly rate	$34.41	$36.46
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	57,547	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 80%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

What does a chemist, development do?

A development chemist is responsible for delivering products that are specially created for a customer. You will be responsible for conducting qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses for process or quality control. Other tasks that you will perform include researching chemical substances, conducting laboratory experiments, and evaluating the effects of chemical compounds in different situations. Additionally, you will be responsible for determining chemical properties by analyzing compounds and helping resolve quality issues. As a development chemist, you are also responsible for evaluating safety procedures in laboratories and maintaining laboratory equipment.

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.

Chemist, development vs research chemist salary

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

	Chemist, Development	Research Chemist
Average salary	$71,571	$75,843
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $109,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Kingsport, TN	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	Washington	Virginia
Best paying company	FutureFuel	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Health Care	Energy

Differences between chemist, development and research chemist education

There are a few differences between a chemist, development and a research chemist in terms of educational background:

	Chemist, Development	Research Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 80%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chemist, development vs research chemist demographics

Here are the differences between chemists, development' and research chemists' demographics:

	Chemist, Development	Research Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 18.3% White, 59.9% 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 chemist, development and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Chemist, development example responsibilities.

Manage an analytical laboratory, which include SEM-EDS, GC-MS, GPC, FT-IR, ICP-MS, TGA and DSC equipment.
Involve in FDA, vendor and foreign agencies audits and knowledgeable in USP and GMP regulations.
Work with analytical instruments such as FTIR, DSC, and TGA.
Follow all ISO quality and environmental standards as provided in the various procedural manuals.
Enhance operational performance by training lab technicians and chemists in protein dialysis, HPLC analysis, and formulation process.
Design, fabricate and operate pilot-scale synthesis and purification equipment for GMP API syntheses (contract and salary).

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.

Chemist, development vs research chemist skills

Common chemist, development skills

Laboratory Equipment, 12%
Method Development, 11%
R, 10%
Product Development, 7%
HPLC, 6%
GMP, 4%

Common research chemist skills

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

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Chemist, Development
Chemist, Development vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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