Food scientist vs research chemist

The differences between food scientists 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 $74,345 average annual salary of a food scientist.

The top three skills for a food scientist include product development, project management and food safety. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Food scientist vs research chemist overview

	Food Scientist	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$74,345	$75,843
Hourly rate	$35.74	$36.46
Growth rate	8%	6%
Number of jobs	93,145	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	40	42
Years of experience	4	-

What does a food scientist do?

A food scientists' job is primarily to improve food in terms of quality and packaging and create new food products. This job may include ensuring products comply with health and safety standards as well as developing excellent quality food processing, storage, and transportation procedures. They will collaborate with project groups to make new products starting from conceptualization to commercialization. Moreover, they work on the release of potential brands and improve nutritional quality, especially the flavor and texture of food. Also, they assist the company in leading product improvements and innovations.

What does a research chemist do?

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.

Food scientist vs research chemist salary

Food scientists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Food Scientist	Research Chemist
Average salary	$74,345	$75,843
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $121,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Napa, CA	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	Ohio	Virginia
Best paying company	LexisNexis Reed Tech	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Education	Energy

Differences between food scientist and research chemist education

There are a few differences between a food scientist and a research chemist in terms of educational background:

	Food Scientist	Research Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Food Science	Chemistry
Most common college	Cornell University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Food scientist vs research chemist demographics

Here are the differences between food scientists' and research chemists' demographics:

	Food Scientist	Research Chemist
Average age	40	42
Gender ratio	Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 11.9% White, 73.1% 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	19%	5%

Differences between food scientist and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Food scientist example responsibilities.

Achieve accurate, quick QC sample analysis to ensure product integrity.
Lead a collaboration with another biotechnology company to design ELISAs for the purpose of evaluating novel reagents.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Maintain all QA lab equipment used for preprocess and finish food testing.
Perform HPLC and GC method development and validations to support ANDA filings.
Work on extrusion line; co-developed granola pieces for cereal application and agglomerate bars.

Research chemist example responsibilities.

Manage the CDS and LIMS systems for the institute.
Manage and record experimental data with lab management software (LIMS).
Manage projects involving the development of GC/MS methods, particle collection systems, and Raman spectral database creation.
Characterize the particles using SEM, DSC, IR, and UV-Vis.
Identify sample structure using microscopy, crystallography, NMR, UV/VIS, GC and AAS.
Develop GC & FTIR instrumental methods of analysis to support quality of incoming raw materials to ensure quality of finish products.

Food scientist vs research chemist skills

Common food scientist skills

Product Development, 9%
Project Management, 8%
Food Safety, 8%
Pilot Plant, 7%
FDA, 4%
Technical Support, 4%

Common research chemist skills

Laboratory Equipment, 10%
Method Development, 10%
R, 9%
HPLC, 5%
Analytical Chemistry, 5%
Polymer, 5%

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Food Scientist vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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