Forensic chemist vs toxicologist

The differences between forensic chemists and toxicologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a toxicologist has an average salary of $75,601, 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 toxicologist are risk assessments, chemistry, and product safety.

Forensic chemist vs toxicologist overview

	Forensic Chemist	Toxicologist
Yearly salary	$56,597	$75,601
Hourly rate	$27.21	$36.35
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	7,902	21,835
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	42	41
Years of experience	-	4

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 toxicologist do?

A toxicologist specializes in studying toxic substances and how it affects living organisms such as humans and animals. They may work at learning institutions, private laboratories or businesses, medical facilities, and even government agencies. Although the extent of their duties varies on their place of employment, it typically includes conducting studies and scientific research, coordinating with fellow experts, gathering and processing samples through various laboratory procedures, maintaining records, and drawing conclusions based on the research findings.

Forensic chemist vs toxicologist salary

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

	Forensic Chemist	Toxicologist
Average salary	$56,597	$75,601
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $80,000	Between $46,000 And $124,000
Highest paying City	-	Paramus, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Exxon Mobil
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between forensic chemist and toxicologist education

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

	Forensic Chemist	Toxicologist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Southern California

Forensic chemist vs toxicologist demographics

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

	Forensic Chemist	Toxicologist
Average age	42	41
Gender ratio	Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%	Male, 51.5% Female, 48.5%
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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 23.3% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	8%

Differences between forensic chemist and toxicologist 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.

Toxicologist example responsibilities.

Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Review in-house and contract toxicology studies on Monsanto products to ensure compliance with FDA and EPA regulations.
Evaluate, verify and certify patient results from multiple levels of testing; ELISA, LCMS, MSMS
Review and report both positive and negative initial drug screening data from the laboratory, and release results into the LIS.
Compile computer database of FDA regulatory compliance data.
Lead selection of CROs and qualification activities.

Forensic chemist vs toxicologist skills

Common forensic chemist skills

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

Common toxicologist skills

Risk Assessments, 13%
Chemistry, 10%
Product Safety, 6%
FDA, 6%
Toxicology Studies, 5%
Safety Assessments, 4%

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Forensic Chemist vs Toxicologist

Updated January 8, 2025

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