Production scientist vs laboratory analyst

The differences between production scientists and laboratory analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a production scientist, becoming a laboratory analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a production scientist has an average salary of $77,464, which is higher than the $44,024 average annual salary of a laboratory analyst.

The top three skills for a production scientist include process improvement, QC and lab equipment. The most important skills for a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.

Production scientist vs laboratory analyst overview

	Production Scientist	Laboratory Analyst
Yearly salary	$77,464	$44,024
Hourly rate	$37.24	$21.17
Growth rate	17%	9%
Number of jobs	100,301	44,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 83%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	41	38
Years of experience	4	2

What does a production scientist do?

A production scientist analyzes production operations and manufacturing processes to identify gaps, modify current procedures that would increase process efficiency, and maximize optimal performance. Production scientists inspect the tools and materials utilized for the production and oversee research trials for process formulations. They also develop opportunities and design models that support business functions, generating more innovation and increasing more revenue resources for the business. A production scientist writes research findings, manages resources, and determines various process feasibility.

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Production scientist vs laboratory analyst salary

Production scientists and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Production Scientist	Laboratory Analyst
Average salary	$77,464	$44,024
Salary range	Between $48,000 And $124,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	South San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	Beckman Coulter	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Health Care	Pharmaceutical

Differences between production scientist and laboratory analyst education

There are a few differences between a production scientist and a laboratory analyst in terms of educational background:

	Production Scientist	Laboratory Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 83%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of Southern California	Stanford University

Production scientist vs laboratory analyst demographics

Here are the differences between production scientists' and laboratory analysts' demographics:

	Production Scientist	Laboratory Analyst
Average age	41	38
Gender ratio	Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6%	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 23.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between production scientist and laboratory analyst duties and responsibilities

Production scientist example responsibilities.

Manage a team focuse on genotyping, purification, and quantitation assays, including training of new scientists.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Follow current GMP, GDP and FDA regulations to maintain documentation and improve work instructions.
Extract biological samples and analyze via HPLC and LC/MS/MS analysis in accordance with GLP regulations.
Acquire good laboratory practice (GLP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP) in industry.
Direct technology transfer from bench top to pilot scale and then to production scale at CMO.

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Production scientist vs laboratory analyst skills

Common production scientist skills

Process Improvement, 14%
QC, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
GMP, 6%
Molecular Biology, 4%
PCR, 4%

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

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Production Scientist vs Laboratory Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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