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The differences between environmental chemists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research chemist has an average salary of $75,843, 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 research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.
| Environmental Chemist | Research Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,956 | $75,843 |
| Hourly rate | $27.38 | $36.46 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 22,234 | 53,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.
Environmental chemists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Chemist | Research Chemist | |
| Average salary | $56,956 | $75,843 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $84,000 | Between $53,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | McLean, VA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Southern California Edison | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Energy |
There are a few differences between an environmental chemist and a research chemist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Chemist | Research Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between environmental chemists' and research chemists' demographics:
| Environmental Chemist | Research Chemist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% |
| 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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 22.2% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |