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Chemist lead vs senior chemist

The differences between chemist leads and senior chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior chemist has an average salary of $91,008, which is higher than the $83,663 average annual salary of a chemist lead.

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

Chemist lead vs senior chemist overview

Chemist LeadSenior Chemist
Yearly salary$83,663$91,008
Hourly rate$40.22$43.75
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,86012,823
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 senior chemist do?

Senior Chemists are responsible for designing, developing, and testing formulations and compounds. They also maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and relevant documentation.

Chemist lead vs senior chemist salary

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

Chemist LeadSenior Chemist
Average salary$83,663$91,008
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $117,000Between $67,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CityPleasanton, CAFremont, CA
Highest paying stateDelawareVermont
Best paying companyMomentiveGoogle
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between chemist lead and senior chemist education

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

Chemist LeadSenior Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chemist lead vs senior chemist demographics

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

Chemist LeadSenior Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 65.2% Female, 34.8%Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 22.3% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between chemist lead and senior 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.
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Senior chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage an analytical laboratory, which include SEM-EDS, GC-MS, GPC, FT-IR, ICP-MS, TGA and DSC equipment.
  • Conduct GC-MS, TGA, and FTIR, UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis of extractables and elemental impurities.
  • Develop Simethicone assay method by FT-IR in liquid dosage.
  • Used EPA methods for actinide, technetium, strontium, and tritium determination.
  • Prepare submission documentation, including CMC sections, for IDE and PMA submissions.
  • Supervise mobile lab team of analysts at various EPA super fund site locations for PCB and halo-hydrocarbons analysis testing.
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Chemist lead vs senior chemist skills

Common chemist lead skills
  • Laboratory Instruments, 13%
  • Analytical Methods, 7%
  • R, 6%
  • Method Development, 5%
  • Lab Equipment, 5%
  • HPLC, 4%
Common senior chemist skills
  • Method Development, 8%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • HPLC, 5%
  • Analytical Methods, 5%
  • R, 4%
  • GMP, 4%

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