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The differences between process scientists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a process scientist has an average salary of $92,203, which is higher than the $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.
The top three skills for a process scientist include chemistry, GMP and cell culture. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.
| Process Scientist | Research Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $92,203 | $75,843 |
| Hourly rate | $44.33 | $36.46 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 67,699 | 53,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
In a manufacturing environment, a process scientist is primarily in charge of developing products and procedures, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify market and client needs, gathering and analyzing extensive data, assessing existing practices to determine its strengths and weaknesses, improving vulnerable areas, and monitoring the progress of all operations, implementing solutions as necessary. Aside from performing various experiments for product development, a process scientist may also collaborate with other experts and train junior scientists in the joint effort to deliver quality products and services to clients.
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.
Process scientists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Scientist | Research Chemist | |
| Average salary | $92,203 | $75,843 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $124,000 | Between $53,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | McLean, VA |
| Highest paying state | Tennessee | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Amazon | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Energy |
There are a few differences between a process scientist and a research chemist in terms of educational background:
| Process Scientist | Research Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between process scientists' and research chemists' demographics:
| Process Scientist | Research Chemist | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3% | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 8% | 5% |