Post job

Field chemist vs environmental chemist

The differences between field chemists and environmental chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a field chemist has an average salary of $66,162, which is higher than the $56,956 average annual salary of an environmental chemist.

The top three skills for a field chemist include CDL, non-hazardous waste and customer sites. The most important skills for an environmental chemist are data validation, GC, and ms.

Field chemist vs environmental chemist overview

Field ChemistEnvironmental Chemist
Yearly salary$66,162$56,956
Hourly rate$31.81$27.38
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs51,92222,234
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a field chemist do?

Field chemists are scientists responsible for researching reactions that occur between different substances and creating procedures for safe handling of those substances by individuals, businesses, or factories. They are involved in gathering research data, implementing regulatory standards for hazardous substances, and assisting with the clean-up process for incidents such as spills. The data gathered is used to help develop new products for use in hazardous waste management, medicine, manufacturing, and other industries.

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.

Field chemist vs environmental chemist salary

Field chemists and environmental chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field ChemistEnvironmental Chemist
Average salary$66,162$56,956
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $101,000Between $38,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Olympia, WA
Highest paying state-Delaware
Best paying company-Southern California Edison
Best paying industry-Internet

Differences between field chemist and environmental chemist education

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

Field ChemistEnvironmental Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley

Field chemist vs environmental chemist demographics

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

Field ChemistEnvironmental Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 82.6% Female, 17.4%Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.1% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between field chemist and environmental chemist duties and responsibilities

Field chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and audit projects to ensure compliance of state, federal and OSHA regulations.
  • Manage projects involving the development of GC/MS methods, particle collection systems, and Raman spectral database creation.
  • Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
  • Utilize analytic testing on new compounds using the following techniques: GC-MS, HPLC and ICP.
  • Test products for QC using standard procedures.
  • Analyze air samples by HPLC following EPA methods.
  • Show more

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

Field chemist vs environmental chemist skills

Common field chemist skills
  • CDL, 39%
  • Non-Hazardous Waste, 7%
  • Customer Sites, 7%
  • Household Hazardous Waste, 6%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 5%
Common environmental chemist skills
  • Data Validation, 8%
  • GC, 6%
  • Ms, 6%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • ICP-MS, 5%
  • Environmental Samples, 5%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs