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Cosmetic chemist vs quality control chemist

The differences between cosmetic chemists and quality control chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cosmetic chemist has an average salary of $59,876, which is higher than the $58,892 average annual salary of a quality control chemist.

The top three skills for a cosmetic chemist include R, GMP and QC. The most important skills for a quality control chemist are QC, HPLC, and lab equipment.

Cosmetic chemist vs quality control chemist overview

Cosmetic ChemistQuality Control Chemist
Yearly salary$59,876$58,892
Hourly rate$28.79$28.31
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs7,55690,467
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a cosmetic chemist do?

A cosmetic chemist specializes in formulating and developing skincare and cosmetic products such as make-up, lotion, soap, and shampoo. They typically work at laboratories where they work on different chemicals and substances, conduct studies and experiments, perform extensive research and analysis, develop and implement tests and assessments, and maintain records of all procedures. Moreover, a cosmetic chemist must maintain an active communication line with staff while adhering to the safety protocols and standards of a laboratory, especially when handling different chemicals.

What does a quality control chemist do?

A Quality Control Chemist uses chemistry lab skills to test and measure materials, usually in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical field. They analyze samples using scientific equipment, prepare study protocols, collect data, and identify and investigate abnormal test results.

Cosmetic chemist vs quality control chemist salary

Cosmetic chemists and quality control chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cosmetic ChemistQuality Control Chemist
Average salary$59,876$58,892
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $83,000Between $45,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CitySkillman, NJNorth Kingstown, RI
Highest paying stateWashingtonVermont
Best paying companyBASFHallstar
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between cosmetic chemist and quality control chemist education

There are a few differences between a cosmetic chemist and a quality control chemist in terms of educational background:

Cosmetic ChemistQuality Control Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Cosmetic chemist vs quality control chemist demographics

Here are the differences between cosmetic chemists' and quality control chemists' demographics:

Cosmetic ChemistQuality Control Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 51.9% Female, 48.1%Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.4% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 21.4% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between cosmetic chemist and quality control chemist duties and responsibilities

Cosmetic chemist example responsibilities.

  • Plan, manage, and maintain laboratory's SPC and TQM programs.
  • Train new formulation chemists in the use of and methods validation for HPLC, optical microscopy, and particle sizing equipment.
  • Take initiative to be cross-train in chemistry methods used by the company to perform additional tests that ensure uninterrupt laboratory operation.
  • Direct department's Quality/Regulatory compliance to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485:2003.
  • Document extraction procedures, validation data, and instrument parameters for all nonstandard sample testing in laboratory notebook.

Quality control chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage investigations of out of spec results and complaints in CatsWEB CAPA management system.
  • Verify raw material compliance utilizing ICP, FTIR, and USP wet chemistry methods.
  • Perform analysis utilizing UV/VIS, FTIR, Karl Fischer, and TLC.
  • Perform the potency studies, dissolution, and uniformity, by using HPLC, GC, and UV/VIS.
  • Analyze active ingredients in sunscreens, volatile organics, and preservatives utilizing ICP, GC, NIRS, and HPLC.
  • Execute dissolution and disintegration testing and microbiology testing with compliance requirements within GMP, GLP, and FDA regulatory environments.
  • Show more

Cosmetic chemist vs quality control chemist skills

Common cosmetic chemist skills
  • R, 23%
  • GMP, 16%
  • QC, 15%
  • Laboratory Instruments, 14%
  • Product Specifications, 8%
  • HPLC, 7%
Common quality control chemist skills
  • QC, 9%
  • HPLC, 7%
  • Lab Equipment, 7%
  • GMP, 6%
  • Analytical Methods, 5%
  • UV/Vis, 4%

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