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Chemist lead vs production chemist

The differences between chemist leads and production 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 $62,937 average annual salary of a production chemist.

The top three skills for a chemist lead include laboratory instruments, analytical methods and R. The most important skills for a production chemist are GMP, laboratory equipment, and synthesis.

Chemist lead vs production chemist overview

Chemist LeadProduction Chemist
Yearly salary$83,663$62,937
Hourly rate$40.22$30.26
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,86058,948
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
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 a production chemist do?

A production chemist is responsible for conducting research and laboratory experiments to identify chemical resources that support the manufacturing of industrial products and services. Production chemists strategize on effective methods to maximize the product's quality and efficiency, following safety regulations and legislation procedures. They also run quality checks on the components to verify their safety and minimize their environmental effect. A production chemist must have excellent organizational and critical-thinking skills, as well as having extensive knowledge of the scientific industry.

Chemist lead vs production chemist salary

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

Chemist LeadProduction Chemist
Average salary$83,663$62,937
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $117,000Between $38,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CityPleasanton, CAPennsauken, NJ
Highest paying stateDelawareDelaware
Best paying companyMomentiveBio-Rad Laboratories
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between chemist lead and production chemist education

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

Chemist LeadProduction Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Chemist lead vs production chemist demographics

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

Chemist LeadProduction Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 65.2% Female, 34.8%Male, 70.4% Female, 29.6%
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, 7.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 24.4% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between chemist lead and production 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

Production chemist example responsibilities.

  • Lead the team in the isolation and purification of critical enzymes vital to the manufacture of diagnostic medical reagents.
  • Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
  • Experience with running ELISA as well as SDS-PAGE.
  • Coordinate with technicians on ELISA performance and troubleshooting.
  • Perform UPLC, FTIR, and moisture analysis.
  • Perform in-process and finish products sample testing using HPLC.
  • Show more

Chemist lead vs production chemist skills

Common chemist lead skills
  • Laboratory Instruments, 13%
  • Analytical Methods, 7%
  • R, 6%
  • Method Development, 5%
  • Lab Equipment, 5%
  • HPLC, 4%
Common production chemist skills
  • GMP, 13%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%
  • Synthesis, 8%
  • ISO, 7%
  • R, 5%
  • Safety Guidelines, 4%

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