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Chemist lead vs environmental chemist

The differences between chemist leads and environmental chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chemist lead has an average salary of $83,663, which is higher than the $56,956 average annual salary of an environmental chemist.

The top three skills for a chemist lead include laboratory instruments, analytical methods and R. The most important skills for an environmental chemist are data validation, GC, and ms.

Chemist lead vs environmental chemist overview

Chemist LeadEnvironmental Chemist
Yearly salary$83,663$56,956
Hourly rate$40.22$27.38
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,86022,234
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a chemist lead do?

A Chemist Lead is responsible for conducting qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses and experiments. They generally work in laboratories.

What does an environmental chemist do?

Environmental chemists are chemistry experts who conduct research or experiments about the effects of chemicals on the environment and human activities. These chemists are required to monitor the source and extent of pollution and contamination, especially the compounds that can affect human health. They are involved in the analytical testing of new products developed in the lab while ensuring the safety of their workplace by issuing safety guidelines. Environmental chemists are also required to express ideas effectively to a non-scientific audience.

Chemist lead vs environmental chemist salary

Chemist leads and environmental chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chemist LeadEnvironmental Chemist
Average salary$83,663$56,956
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $117,000Between $38,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityPleasanton, CAOlympia, WA
Highest paying stateDelawareDelaware
Best paying companyMomentiveSouthern California Edison
Best paying industryHealth CareInternet

Differences between chemist lead and environmental chemist education

There are a few differences between a chemist lead and an environmental chemist in terms of educational background:

Chemist LeadEnvironmental Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California, Berkeley

Chemist lead vs environmental chemist demographics

Here are the differences between chemist leads' and environmental chemists' demographics:

Chemist LeadEnvironmental Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 65.2% Female, 34.8%Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between chemist lead and environmental chemist duties and responsibilities

Chemist lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage an analytical laboratory, which include SEM-EDS, GC-MS, GPC, FT-IR, ICP-MS, TGA and DSC equipment.
  • Ensure FDA and ISO certification due to attention to detail.
  • Prepare testing protocols for raw materials, finish products, and APIs utilizing classical wet chemistry and HPLC techniques.
  • Use LIMS system to input data.
  • Learned how to troubleshoot/maintain ICP-MS instruments.
  • Evaluate and propose changes to existing USP test methodologies.
  • Show more

Environmental chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage storage of hazardous waste for compliance with RCRA regulations.
  • Manage and operate mobile laboratories analyzing a wide range of samples utilizing USEPA SW846 GC/MS and HPLC methods.
  • Achieve expertise with hydrogenations and catalysts, low temp reactions, TLC, reactions done with UV and infrare lights.
  • Achieve expertise with organic techniques like steam distillation, recrystallization, vacuum sublimation/distillation.
  • Administer various laboratory safety audits with regard to OSHA rules and regulations to maintain adherence and manage necessary corrective actions.
  • Conduct analysis of heavy metals in environmental soil and water samples using ICP-OES and ICP-MS
  • Show more

Chemist lead vs environmental chemist skills

Common chemist lead skills
  • Laboratory Instruments, 13%
  • Analytical Methods, 7%
  • R, 6%
  • Method Development, 5%
  • Lab Equipment, 5%
  • HPLC, 4%
Common environmental chemist skills
  • Data Validation, 8%
  • GC, 6%
  • Ms, 6%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • ICP-MS, 5%
  • Environmental Samples, 5%

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