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The differences between chemist scientists and microbiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chemist scientist has an average salary of $82,078, which is higher than the $54,620 average annual salary of a microbiologist.
The top three skills for a chemist scientist include HPLC, uv/vis and R. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.
| Chemist Scientist | Microbiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $82,078 | $54,620 |
| Hourly rate | $39.46 | $26.26 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 48,790 | 11,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
The main role of chemist scientists is to investigate the properties of matter in terms of molecules and atoms. The scientists measure the reaction rates and proportions to have a better understanding of unfamiliar substances and their behavior. They study how these substances may create new compounds for various practical applications. Their job is to introduce the chemical catalysts for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Also, they write reports and technical papers.
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
Chemist scientists and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chemist Scientist | Microbiologist | |
| Average salary | $82,078 | $54,620 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $119,000 | Between $39,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Entegris | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a chemist scientist and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:
| Chemist Scientist | Microbiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between chemist scientists' and microbiologists' demographics:
| Chemist Scientist | Microbiologist | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.3% Female, 36.7% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 20.5% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 10% |