Forensic chemist vs quality control assistant

The differences between forensic chemists and quality control assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a forensic chemist has an average salary of $56,597, which is higher than the $37,836 average annual salary of a quality control assistant.

The top three skills for a forensic chemist include ms, GC and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a quality control assistant are product quality, quality checks, and lab equipment.

Forensic chemist vs quality control assistant overview

	Forensic Chemist	Quality Control Assistant
Yearly salary	$56,597	$37,836
Hourly rate	$27.21	$18.19
Growth rate	6%	3%
Number of jobs	7,902	81,401
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	42	38
Years of experience	-	-

What does a forensic chemist do?

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.

What does a quality control assistant do?

Quality assurance technicians work as testers, samplers, and inspectors of quality control in the organizations. They are equipped with skills in visual inspection, written and verbal communication, and active listening. In carrying out their jobs, they are expected to work well and be detail-oriented. Working as a quality assurance technician involves problem-solving, decision making, and creative thinking. They see to it that products and services meet the quality standards for the entire organization.

Forensic chemist vs quality control assistant salary

Forensic chemists and quality control assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forensic Chemist	Quality Control Assistant
Average salary	$56,597	$37,836
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $80,000	Between $26,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Sun Chemical
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between forensic chemist and quality control assistant education

There are a few differences between a forensic chemist and a quality control assistant in terms of educational background:

	Forensic Chemist	Quality Control Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Chemistry	Business
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Stanford University

Forensic chemist vs quality control assistant demographics

Here are the differences between forensic chemists' and quality control assistants' demographics:

	Forensic Chemist	Quality Control Assistant
Average age	42	38
Gender ratio	Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%	Male, 41.8% Female, 58.2%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	8%

Differences between forensic chemist and quality control assistant duties and responsibilities

Forensic chemist example responsibilities.

Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
Input data results using a LIMS information system.
Analyze controlled substances by GC/MS and FTIR and arson residues by GC/FID.
Start to implement procedures for ISO 9000quality certification.
Update existing and develop new standard operating procedures to meet USP requirements for vitamin assays.
Perform quality testing in an FDA enforce environment for a variety of products while demonstrating good manufacturing practices.

Quality control assistant example responsibilities.

Develop procedures for testing equipment for safety and compliance to achieve FDA regulations for safety and manufacturing.
Help ensure compliance with GMP policies, HACCP, QMS, and good housekeeping throughout the plant.
Make sure co-worker follow safety rules and regulation and wearing PPE.
Create weekly PowerPoint data sheets for coaching staff to aid when writing prospective student athletes.
Work in aseptic gowning for ISO 5-8 and provide qualifications for personnel in aseptic gowning techniques.
Perform inspections of raw materials, supervise assembly of product, and inspect final product in an ISO certify sheltered workshop.

Forensic chemist vs quality control assistant skills

Common forensic chemist skills

Ms, 12%
GC, 9%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
FTIR, 6%
Gas Chromatography, 5%
Liquid Chromatography, 4%

Common quality control assistant skills

Product Quality, 13%
Quality Checks, 11%
Lab Equipment, 10%
Safety Standards, 9%
Data Entry, 9%
GMP, 6%

Forensic Chemist vs. similar jobs

Forensic Chemist related careers

Forensic Chemist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Forensic Chemist
Forensic Chemist vs Quality Control Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs