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The differences between product development scientists and quality control chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a product development scientist has an average salary of $84,817, which is higher than the $58,892 average annual salary of a quality control chemist.
The top three skills for a product development scientist include chemistry, project management and data analysis. The most important skills for a quality control chemist are QC, HPLC, and lab equipment.
| Product Development Scientist | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $84,817 | $58,892 |
| Hourly rate | $40.78 | $28.31 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 147,027 | 90,467 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
A product development scientist is responsible for conducting in-depth scientific research and method analysis to develop medical technologies, medications, and foods, depending on the industry. Product development scientists may also perform enhancements on existing products by studying its components and improve its features. They evaluate the manufacturing processes of a product, providing recommendations on additional resources to generate revenues and profits. A product development scientist often works in a laboratory, requiring them to follow strict safety protocols and ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of the area to prevent contamination and result inconsistencies.
A Quality Control Chemist uses chemistry lab skills to test and measure materials, usually in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical field. They analyze samples using scientific equipment, prepare study protocols, collect data, and identify and investigate abnormal test results.
Product development scientists and quality control chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Product Development Scientist | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Average salary | $84,817 | $58,892 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $115,000 | Between $45,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | North Kingstown, RI |
| Highest paying state | California | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Hallstar |
| Best paying industry | Education | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a product development scientist and a quality control chemist in terms of educational background:
| Product Development Scientist | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between product development scientists' and quality control chemists' demographics:
| Product Development Scientist | Quality Control Chemist | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.3% Female, 40.7% | Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 21.4% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |