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The differences between environmental chemists and environmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an environmental chemist has an average salary of $56,956, which is higher than the $54,482 average annual salary of an environmental specialist.
The top three skills for an environmental chemist include data validation, GC and ms. The most important skills for an environmental specialist are hazardous waste, environmental compliance, and hazardous materials.
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,956 | $54,482 |
| Hourly rate | $27.38 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 22,234 | 18,074 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 specialists are experts in natural science who are responsible for monitoring the environmental impact of a population, identifying environmental problems, and recommending measures to solve these issues. These scientists perform various duties and responsibilities that include overseeing field examinations and reporting hazard materials and locations, evaluating environmental health concerns, and investigating preparing reports related to environmental issues. Environmental specialists are also responsible for consulting with agencies or clients about an issue or situation and working with other companies to reduce pollution and waste.
Environmental chemists and environmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average salary | $56,956 | $54,482 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $84,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Southern California Edison | Texas Instruments |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an environmental chemist and an environmental specialist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between environmental chemists' and environmental specialists' demographics:
| Environmental Chemist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% | Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4% |
| 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% |