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Environmental chemist vs formulation chemist

The differences between environmental chemists and formulation chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a formulation chemist has an average salary of $66,678, 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 formulation chemist are scale-up, R, and product development.

Environmental chemist vs formulation chemist overview

Environmental ChemistFormulation Chemist
Yearly salary$56,956$66,678
Hourly rate$27.38$32.06
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs22,2343,011
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
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 formulation chemist do?

A formulation chemist is responsible for generating new concepts for product development that adhere to quality standards and safety regulations. Formulation chemists identify product opportunities by analyzing the current industry trends, developing cost-reduction initiatives, and determining efficient formulations through in-depth research and laboratory experiments. They write formulation reports and product processing, collaborating with the marketing and sales team for brand promotion and awareness. A formulation chemist must have a critical understanding of scientific methods, including chemical mixing, to achieve desired outputs.

Environmental chemist vs formulation chemist salary

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

Environmental ChemistFormulation Chemist
Average salary$56,956$66,678
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $84,000Between $46,000 And $94,000
Highest paying CityOlympia, WAFrederick, MD
Highest paying stateDelawareWashington
Best paying companySouthern California EdisonApple
Best paying industryInternetManufacturing

Differences between environmental chemist and formulation chemist education

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

Environmental ChemistFormulation Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of Southern California

Environmental chemist vs formulation chemist demographics

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

Environmental ChemistFormulation Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 62.1% Female, 37.9%Male, 60.6% Female, 39.4%
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, 18.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between environmental chemist and formulation 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

Formulation chemist example responsibilities.

  • Utilize Citrix LIMS to register, manage, enter and release sample results for supervisor review.
  • Provide key data in GLP testing of in-house samples using GC, AA, and UV-Vis.
  • Follow ASTM procedures and criteria for analyzing products.
  • Create internal sensory training according to the ASTM method.
  • Help to aid the plant in becoming compliant with EPA standards.
  • Perform analysis of pharmaceutical drug products in compliance cGMP and GLP procedures.
  • Show more

Environmental chemist vs formulation chemist skills

Common environmental chemist skills
  • Data Validation, 8%
  • GC, 6%
  • Ms, 6%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • ICP-MS, 5%
  • Environmental Samples, 5%
Common formulation chemist skills
  • Scale-Up, 8%
  • R, 7%
  • Product Development, 6%
  • Lab Notebook, 6%
  • Formulation Development, 5%
  • QC, 4%

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