Forensic chemist vs senior chemist

The differences between forensic 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 $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 senior chemist are method development, laboratory equipment, and HPLC.

Forensic chemist vs senior chemist overview

	Forensic Chemist	Senior Chemist
Yearly salary	$56,597	$91,008
Hourly rate	$27.21	$43.75
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	7,902	12,823
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 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.

Forensic chemist vs senior chemist salary

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

	Forensic Chemist	Senior Chemist
Average salary	$56,597	$91,008
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $80,000	Between $67,000 And $123,000
Highest paying City	-	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	-	Vermont
Best paying company	-	Google
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between forensic chemist and senior chemist education

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

	Forensic Chemist	Senior Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Forensic chemist vs senior chemist demographics

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

	Forensic Chemist	Senior Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 22.3% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between forensic chemist and senior 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.

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.

Forensic chemist vs senior chemist skills

Common forensic chemist skills

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

Common senior chemist skills

Method Development, 8%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
HPLC, 5%
Analytical Methods, 5%
R, 4%
GMP, 4%

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Forensic Chemist vs Senior Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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