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The differences between forensic chemists and associate scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $56,597 average annual salary of a forensic chemist.
The top three skills for a forensic chemist include ms, GC and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.
| Forensic Chemist | Associate Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,597 | $76,461 |
| Hourly rate | $27.21 | $36.76 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 7,902 | 54,950 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A forensic chemist analyzes non-biological trace evidence at crime scenes for the determination of unknown materials. Forensic chemists apply chemistry and its subfield forensic toxicology and employ the scientific method to investigate the presented evidence. The result of their analysis provides investigators and medical examiners the necessary information for logical conclusions on probable crimes. Patience and versatility are often cited as the important qualities forensic chemists need to acquire.
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
Forensic chemists and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forensic Chemist | Associate Scientist | |
| Average salary | $56,597 | $76,461 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $80,000 | Between $53,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Phillips 66 |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a forensic chemist and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:
| Forensic Chemist | Associate Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between forensic chemists' and associate scientists' demographics:
| Forensic Chemist | Associate Scientist | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4% | Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 8% |