Post job

Environmental chemist vs chemist

The differences between environmental chemists and chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chemist has an average salary of $64,961, which is higher than the $56,956 average annual salary of an environmental chemist.

The top three skills for an environmental chemist include data validation, GC and ms. The most important skills for a chemist are chemistry, lab equipment, and test results.

Environmental chemist vs chemist overview

Environmental ChemistChemist
Yearly salary$56,956$64,961
Hourly rate$27.38$31.23
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs22,23420,221
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does an environmental chemist do?

Environmental chemists are chemistry experts who conduct research or experiments about the effects of chemicals on the environment and human activities. These chemists are required to monitor the source and extent of pollution and contamination, especially the compounds that can affect human health. They are involved in the analytical testing of new products developed in the lab while ensuring the safety of their workplace by issuing safety guidelines. Environmental chemists are also required to express ideas effectively to a non-scientific audience.

What does a chemist do?

Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter. A chemist usually takes time performing research and conducting experiments to test and further improve the quality and usage of a specific chemical substance. Chemists are expected to write on their observations and findings to establish scientific results.

Environmental chemist vs chemist salary

Environmental chemists and chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Environmental ChemistChemist
Average salary$56,956$64,961
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $84,000Between $46,000 And $90,000
Highest paying CityOlympia, WAWilmington, DE
Highest paying stateDelawareDelaware
Best paying companySouthern California EdisonMeta
Best paying industryInternetManufacturing

Differences between environmental chemist and chemist education

There are a few differences between an environmental chemist and a chemist in terms of educational background:

Environmental ChemistChemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of Southern California

Environmental chemist vs chemist demographics

Here are the differences between environmental chemists' and chemists' demographics:

Environmental ChemistChemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 62.1% Female, 37.9%Male, 59.6% Female, 40.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between environmental chemist and chemist duties and responsibilities

Environmental chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage storage of hazardous waste for compliance with RCRA regulations.
  • Manage and operate mobile laboratories analyzing a wide range of samples utilizing USEPA SW846 GC/MS and HPLC methods.
  • Achieve expertise with hydrogenations and catalysts, low temp reactions, TLC, reactions done with UV and infrare lights.
  • Achieve expertise with organic techniques like steam distillation, recrystallization, vacuum sublimation/distillation.
  • Administer various laboratory safety audits with regard to OSHA rules and regulations to maintain adherence and manage necessary corrective actions.
  • Conduct analysis of heavy metals in environmental soil and water samples using ICP-OES and ICP-MS
  • Show more

Chemist example responsibilities.

  • Lead QA, engineering, and operations training events.
  • Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
  • Perform analysis of drug substance and drug product using HPLC, GC, dissolution and UV/VIS.
  • Utilize IR, AA, UV, HPLC and other chemical analysis equipment to assess product quality.
  • Prepare solutions to run on HPLC, ICP and AA instruments.
  • Involve in operation and preventative maintenance of LC/MS, GC/FID, and HPLC instrumentation.
  • Show more

Environmental chemist vs chemist skills

Common environmental chemist skills
  • Data Validation, 8%
  • GC, 6%
  • Ms, 6%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • ICP-MS, 5%
  • Environmental Samples, 5%
Common chemist skills
  • Chemistry, 20%
  • Lab Equipment, 7%
  • Test Results, 7%
  • Product Development, 5%
  • Method Development, 5%
  • HPLC, 5%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs