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Field chemist vs senior chemist

The differences between field 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 $66,162 average annual salary of a field chemist.

The top three skills for a field chemist include CDL, non-hazardous waste and customer sites. The most important skills for a senior chemist are method development, laboratory equipment, and HPLC.

Field chemist vs senior chemist overview

Field ChemistSenior Chemist
Yearly salary$66,162$91,008
Hourly rate$31.81$43.75
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs51,92212,823
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 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.

Field chemist vs senior chemist salary

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

Field ChemistSenior Chemist
Average salary$66,162$91,008
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $101,000Between $67,000 And $123,000
Highest paying City-Fremont, CA
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between field chemist and senior chemist education

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

Field 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

Field chemist vs senior chemist demographics

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

Field ChemistSenior Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 82.6% Female, 17.4%Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 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 field chemist and senior 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

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.
  • Show more

Field chemist vs senior 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 senior chemist skills
  • Method Development, 8%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • HPLC, 5%
  • Analytical Methods, 5%
  • R, 4%
  • GMP, 4%

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