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Environmental chemist vs production chemist

The differences between environmental chemists and production chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a production chemist has an average salary of $62,937, 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 production chemist are GMP, laboratory equipment, and synthesis.

Environmental chemist vs production chemist overview

Environmental ChemistProduction Chemist
Yearly salary$56,956$62,937
Hourly rate$27.38$30.26
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs22,23458,948
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
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 production chemist do?

A production chemist is responsible for conducting research and laboratory experiments to identify chemical resources that support the manufacturing of industrial products and services. Production chemists strategize on effective methods to maximize the product's quality and efficiency, following safety regulations and legislation procedures. They also run quality checks on the components to verify their safety and minimize their environmental effect. A production chemist must have excellent organizational and critical-thinking skills, as well as having extensive knowledge of the scientific industry.

Environmental chemist vs production chemist salary

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

Environmental ChemistProduction Chemist
Average salary$56,956$62,937
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $84,000Between $38,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CityOlympia, WAPennsauken, NJ
Highest paying stateDelawareDelaware
Best paying companySouthern California EdisonBio-Rad Laboratories
Best paying industryInternetHealth Care

Differences between environmental chemist and production chemist education

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

Environmental ChemistProduction Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of Southern California

Environmental chemist vs production chemist demographics

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

Environmental ChemistProduction Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 62.1% Female, 37.9%Male, 70.4% Female, 29.6%
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, 7.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 24.4% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between environmental chemist and production 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

Production chemist example responsibilities.

  • Lead the team in the isolation and purification of critical enzymes vital to the manufacture of diagnostic medical reagents.
  • Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
  • Experience with running ELISA as well as SDS-PAGE.
  • Coordinate with technicians on ELISA performance and troubleshooting.
  • Perform UPLC, FTIR, and moisture analysis.
  • Perform in-process and finish products sample testing using HPLC.
  • Show more

Environmental chemist vs production chemist skills

Common environmental chemist skills
  • Data Validation, 8%
  • GC, 6%
  • Ms, 6%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • ICP-MS, 5%
  • Environmental Samples, 5%
Common production chemist skills
  • GMP, 13%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%
  • Synthesis, 8%
  • ISO, 7%
  • R, 5%
  • Safety Guidelines, 4%

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