Forensic chemist vs quality control chemist

The differences between forensic chemists and quality control chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a quality control chemist has an average salary of $58,892, 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 a quality control chemist are QC, HPLC, and lab equipment.

Forensic chemist vs quality control chemist overview

	Forensic Chemist	Quality Control Chemist
Yearly salary	$56,597	$58,892
Hourly rate	$27.21	$28.31
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	7,902	90,467
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age	42	42
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 chemist do?

A Quality Control Chemist uses chemistry lab skills to test and measure materials, usually in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical field. They analyze samples using scientific equipment, prepare study protocols, collect data, and identify and investigate abnormal test results.

Forensic chemist vs quality control chemist salary

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

	Forensic Chemist	Quality Control Chemist
Average salary	$56,597	$58,892
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $80,000	Between $45,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	-	North Kingstown, RI
Highest paying state	-	Vermont
Best paying company	-	Hallstar
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between forensic chemist and quality control chemist education

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

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

Forensic chemist vs quality control chemist demographics

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

	Forensic Chemist	Quality Control Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%	Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5%
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, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 21.4% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between forensic chemist and quality control chemist 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 chemist example responsibilities.

Manage investigations of out of spec results and complaints in CatsWEB CAPA management system.
Verify raw material compliance utilizing ICP, FTIR, and USP wet chemistry methods.
Perform analysis utilizing UV/VIS, FTIR, Karl Fischer, and TLC.
Perform the potency studies, dissolution, and uniformity, by using HPLC, GC, and UV/VIS.
Analyze active ingredients in sunscreens, volatile organics, and preservatives utilizing ICP, GC, NIRS, and HPLC.
Execute dissolution and disintegration testing and microbiology testing with compliance requirements within GMP, GLP, and FDA regulatory environments.

Forensic chemist vs quality control chemist skills

Common forensic chemist skills

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

Common quality control chemist skills

QC, 9%
HPLC, 7%
Lab Equipment, 7%
GMP, 6%
Analytical Methods, 5%
UV/Vis, 4%

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Forensic Chemist vs Quality Control Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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