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Production chemist vs quality control analyst

The differences between production chemists and quality control analysts 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 $59,217 average annual salary of a quality control analyst.

The top three skills for a production chemist include GMP, laboratory equipment and synthesis. The most important skills for a quality control analyst are QC, lab equipment, and microbiology.

Production chemist vs quality control analyst overview

Production ChemistQuality Control Analyst
Yearly salary$62,937$59,217
Hourly rate$30.26$28.47
Growth rate6%9%
Number of jobs58,94885,546
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4238
Years of experience--

What does a production chemist do?

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.

What does a quality control analyst do?

Quality assurance representatives are professionals who are responsible for ensuring the quality of units produced or manufactured is following the standards set by the industry. These representatives supervise the entire production process to identify erroneous methods or tools being used by workers and observing produced for visible defects. They are required to perform various tests to check for the durability of the product and other desirable characteristics. Quality assurance representatives must also collaborate with the manufacturing engineer to implement quality control programs and preparing training manuals and quality guidelines.

Production chemist vs quality control analyst salary

Production chemists and quality control analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production ChemistQuality Control Analyst
Average salary$62,937$59,217
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $101,000Between $40,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityPennsauken, NJRaleigh, NC
Highest paying stateDelawareNorth Carolina
Best paying companyBio-Rad LaboratoriesBarclays
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between production chemist and quality control analyst education

There are a few differences between a production chemist and a quality control analyst in terms of educational background:

Production ChemistQuality Control Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorChemistryBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaStanford University

Production chemist vs quality control analyst demographics

Here are the differences between production chemists' and quality control analysts' demographics:

Production ChemistQuality Control Analyst
Average age4238
Gender ratioMale, 70.4% Female, 29.6%Male, 45.7% Female, 54.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.5% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 12.8% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%8%

Differences between production chemist and quality control analyst duties and responsibilities

Production chemist example responsibilities.

  • Lead the team in the isolation and purification of critical enzymes vital to the manufacture of diagnostic medical reagents.
  • Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
  • Experience with running ELISA as well as SDS-PAGE.
  • Coordinate with technicians on ELISA performance and troubleshooting.
  • Perform UPLC, FTIR, and moisture analysis.
  • Perform in-process and finish products sample testing using HPLC.
  • Show more

Quality control analyst example responsibilities.

  • SAP, Trackwise and outlook manage.
  • Approve QC laboratory data ensuring correct GLP and GMP guidelines are follow and validate procedures are utilize.
  • Train and assist junior chemist to ensure completion of all testing on HPLC, GC, and UPLC.
  • Detect unknown concentrations of metals and toluene in waste water by AA and GC with purge and trap attachments.
  • Contract for environmental monitoring need to qualify facilities for GMP operations.
  • Monitor, calibrate and troubleshoot laboratory equipment to ensure proper compliance with procedures and accuracy of test results.
  • Show more

Production chemist vs quality control analyst skills

Common production chemist skills
  • GMP, 13%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%
  • Synthesis, 8%
  • ISO, 7%
  • R, 5%
  • Safety Guidelines, 4%
Common quality control analyst skills
  • QC, 13%
  • Lab Equipment, 5%
  • Microbiology, 4%
  • Test Methods, 4%
  • HPLC, 3%
  • FDA, 3%

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