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The differences between production chemists and microbiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a production chemist has an average salary of $62,937, which is higher than the $54,620 average annual salary of a microbiologist.
The top three skills for a production chemist include GMP, laboratory equipment and synthesis. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.
| Production Chemist | Microbiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $62,937 | $54,620 |
| Hourly rate | $30.26 | $26.26 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 58,948 | 11,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
A production chemist is responsible for conducting research and laboratory experiments to identify chemical resources that support the manufacturing of industrial products and services. Production chemists strategize on effective methods to maximize the product's quality and efficiency, following safety regulations and legislation procedures. They also run quality checks on the components to verify their safety and minimize their environmental effect. A production chemist must have excellent organizational and critical-thinking skills, as well as having extensive knowledge of the scientific industry.
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
Production chemists and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Chemist | Microbiologist | |
| Average salary | $62,937 | $54,620 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $101,000 | Between $39,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pennsauken, NJ | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Bio-Rad Laboratories | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a production chemist and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:
| Production Chemist | Microbiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between production chemists' and microbiologists' demographics:
| Production Chemist | Microbiologist | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.4% Female, 29.6% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 24.4% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 10% |