Forensic toxicologist vs forensic chemist

The differences between forensic toxicologists and forensic chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a forensic toxicologist has an average salary of $70,179, which is higher than the $56,597 average annual salary of a forensic chemist.

The top three skills for a forensic toxicologist include ms, laboratory equipment and GC. The most important skills for a forensic chemist are ms, GC, and laboratory equipment.

Forensic toxicologist vs forensic chemist overview

	Forensic Toxicologist	Forensic Chemist
Yearly salary	$70,179	$56,597
Hourly rate	$33.74	$27.21
Growth rate	11%	6%
Number of jobs	807	7,902
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age	38	42
Years of experience	4	-

Forensic toxicologist vs forensic chemist salary

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

	Forensic Toxicologist	Forensic Chemist
Average salary	$70,179	$56,597
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $123,000	Between $39,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between forensic toxicologist and forensic chemist education

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

	Forensic Toxicologist	Forensic Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Forensic toxicologist vs forensic chemist demographics

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

	Forensic Toxicologist	Forensic Chemist
Average age	38	42
Gender ratio	Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9%	Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 10.1% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	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%
LGBT Percentage	8%	5%

Differences between forensic toxicologist and forensic chemist duties and responsibilities

Forensic toxicologist example responsibilities.

Perform Headspace GC analysis for presence and concentration determination of alcohols and other volatile substances in biological samples.
Used laboratory information management system (LIMS) to track casework and release results.
SOP's have to be constantly update and follow to detail to prepare the samples accurately before extraction.
Prepare samples for analysis through extraction of control substances from biological matrices.
Duplicate VHS tapes and various other types of media to DVD.
Perform confirmatory semen testing (p30 ELISA and microscopic slide searches for spermatozoa) on casework samples.

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.

Forensic toxicologist vs forensic chemist skills

Common forensic toxicologist skills

Ms, 23%
Laboratory Equipment, 13%
GC, 10%
LC, 9%
Sops, 7%
Immunoassay, 7%

Common forensic chemist skills

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

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Forensic Toxicologist
Forensic Toxicologist vs Forensic Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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