Materials scientist vs research chemist

The differences between materials scientists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials scientist has an average salary of $84,459, which is higher than the $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.

The top three skills for a materials scientist include polymer, SEM and materials characterization. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Materials scientist vs research chemist overview

	Materials Scientist	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$84,459	$75,843
Hourly rate	$40.61	$36.46
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	46,795	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	-

What does a materials scientist do?

A materials scientist is responsible for evaluating scientific properties, investigating chemical solutions and structures, and analyzing the components of natural materials. Materials scientists perform data analysis using scientific methods and operating different laboratory tools and equipment to develop entirely new scientific discoveries that would benefit various market industries for production. They also validate their findings by researching existing cases or coordinating with science experts to support their claims. A materials scientist creates a comprehensive report, including its scope and benefits for society.

What does a research chemist do?

A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.

Materials scientist vs research chemist salary

Materials scientists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Materials Scientist	Research Chemist
Average salary	$84,459	$75,843
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $119,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Novato, CA	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	Nevada	Virginia
Best paying company	Meta	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Technology	Energy

Differences between materials scientist and research chemist education

There are a few differences between a materials scientist and a research chemist in terms of educational background:

	Materials Scientist	Research Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	Cornell University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Materials scientist vs research chemist demographics

Here are the differences between materials scientists' and research chemists' demographics:

	Materials Scientist	Research Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 29.6% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 22.2% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between materials scientist and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Materials scientist example responsibilities.

Manage equipment calibration and maintenance to comply with CGMPs, FDA and OSHA
Achieve API form stability improvement by encapsulation and subsequent analysis.
Manage large-scale GMP manufacturing and pilot-scale trials for material development evaluations.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Develop testing methods for characterizations of latent heat storage materials using DSC, TGA, and FTIR instruments.
Study the film morphological properties by SEM, XRD, XRF.

Research chemist example responsibilities.

Manage the CDS and LIMS systems for the institute.
Manage and record experimental data with lab management software (LIMS).
Manage projects involving the development of GC/MS methods, particle collection systems, and Raman spectral database creation.
Characterize the particles using SEM, DSC, IR, and UV-Vis.
Identify sample structure using microscopy, crystallography, NMR, UV/VIS, GC and AAS.
Develop GC & FTIR instrumental methods of analysis to support quality of incoming raw materials to ensure quality of finish products.

Materials scientist vs research chemist skills

Common materials scientist skills

Polymer, 10%
SEM, 7%
Materials Characterization, 6%
Data Analysis, 5%
Technical Reports, 5%
FTIR, 4%

Common research chemist skills

Laboratory Equipment, 10%
Method Development, 10%
R, 9%
HPLC, 5%
Analytical Chemistry, 5%
Polymer, 5%

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Materials Scientist vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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