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Environmental chemist vs senior chemist

The differences between environmental chemists and senior chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior chemist has an average salary of $91,008, 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 senior chemist are method development, laboratory equipment, and HPLC.

Environmental chemist vs senior chemist overview

Environmental ChemistSenior Chemist
Yearly salary$56,956$91,008
Hourly rate$27.38$43.75
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs22,23412,823
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 senior chemist do?

Senior Chemists are responsible for designing, developing, and testing formulations and compounds. They also maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and relevant documentation.

Environmental chemist vs senior chemist salary

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

Environmental ChemistSenior Chemist
Average salary$56,956$91,008
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $84,000Between $67,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CityOlympia, WAFremont, CA
Highest paying stateDelawareVermont
Best paying companySouthern California EdisonGoogle
Best paying industryInternetManufacturing

Differences between environmental chemist and senior chemist education

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

Environmental ChemistSenior Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Environmental chemist vs senior chemist demographics

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

Environmental ChemistSenior Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 62.1% Female, 37.9%Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 9.3% Asian, 22.3% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between environmental chemist and senior 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
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Senior chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage an analytical laboratory, which include SEM-EDS, GC-MS, GPC, FT-IR, ICP-MS, TGA and DSC equipment.
  • Conduct GC-MS, TGA, and FTIR, UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis of extractables and elemental impurities.
  • Develop Simethicone assay method by FT-IR in liquid dosage.
  • Used EPA methods for actinide, technetium, strontium, and tritium determination.
  • Prepare submission documentation, including CMC sections, for IDE and PMA submissions.
  • Supervise mobile lab team of analysts at various EPA super fund site locations for PCB and halo-hydrocarbons analysis testing.
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Environmental chemist vs senior chemist skills

Common environmental chemist skills
  • Data Validation, 8%
  • GC, 6%
  • Ms, 6%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • ICP-MS, 5%
  • Environmental Samples, 5%
Common senior chemist skills
  • Method Development, 8%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • HPLC, 5%
  • Analytical Methods, 5%
  • R, 4%
  • GMP, 4%

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