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The differences between environmental chemists and environmental engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an environmental engineer has an average salary of $75,718, 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 an environmental engineer are environmental compliance, project management, and OSHA.
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $56,956 | $75,718 |
| Hourly rate | $27.38 | $36.40 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 22,234 | 24,787 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
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.
Environmental engineers use the principles of science, biology, engineering, and chemistry to create solutions to certain environmental problems. They primarily work to improve waste disposal, public health, recycling, and to control water and air pollution. It is also their responsibility to address global issues, such as climate change, unsafe drinking water, and environmental sustainability. They typically prepare and review environmental investigation reports so that documents and permits are updated and in compliance with environmental regulations.
Environmental chemists and environmental engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Average salary | $56,956 | $75,718 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $84,000 | Between $58,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Southern California Edison | |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Energy |
There are a few differences between an environmental chemist and an environmental engineer in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between environmental chemists' and environmental engineers' demographics:
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% | Male, 70.5% Female, 29.5% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 3.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 13% |