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The differences between environmental chemists and environmental scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an environmental scientist has an average salary of $60,208, 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 scientist are environmental compliance, data collection, and GIS.
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,956 | $60,208 |
| Hourly rate | $27.38 | $28.95 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 22,234 | 56,425 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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 scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
Environmental chemists and environmental scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Scientist | |
| Average salary | $56,956 | $60,208 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $84,000 | Between $43,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Southern California Edison | Chevron |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Technology |
There are a few differences between an environmental chemist and an environmental scientist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between environmental chemists' and environmental scientists' demographics:
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Scientist | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 16% |