Chemist lead vs research chemist

The differences between chemist leads and research 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 $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.

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

Chemist lead vs research chemist overview

	Chemist Lead	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$83,663	$75,843
Hourly rate	$40.22	$36.46
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	3,860	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	42	42
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 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 lead vs research chemist salary

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

	Chemist Lead	Research Chemist
Average salary	$83,663	$75,843
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $117,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Pleasanton, CA	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	Delaware	Virginia
Best paying company	Momentive	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Health Care	Energy

Differences between chemist lead and research chemist education

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

	Chemist Lead	Research Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chemist lead vs research chemist demographics

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

	Chemist Lead	Research Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 65.2% Female, 34.8%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black 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, 7.4% 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 lead and research 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.

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 lead vs research chemist skills

Common chemist lead skills

Laboratory Instruments, 13%
Analytical Methods, 7%
R, 6%
Method Development, 5%
Lab Equipment, 5%
HPLC, 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 Lead
Chemist Lead vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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