Production scientist vs research chemist

The differences between production scientists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a production scientist has an average salary of $77,464, which is higher than the $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.

The top three skills for a production scientist include process improvement, QC and lab equipment. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Production scientist vs research chemist overview

	Production Scientist	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$77,464	$75,843
Hourly rate	$37.24	$36.46
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	100,301	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 83%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	41	42
Years of experience	4	-

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 research chemist do?

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.

Production scientist vs research chemist salary

Production scientists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Production Scientist	Research Chemist
Average salary	$77,464	$75,843
Salary range	Between $48,000 And $124,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	South San Francisco, CA	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	California	Virginia
Best paying company	Beckman Coulter	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Health Care	Energy

Differences between production scientist and research chemist education

There are a few differences between a production scientist and a research chemist in terms of educational background:

	Production Scientist	Research Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 83%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Biology	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Production scientist vs research chemist demographics

Here are the differences between production scientists' and research chemists' demographics:

	Production Scientist	Research Chemist
Average age	41	42
Gender ratio	Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
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, 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%

Differences between production scientist and research chemist 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.

Research chemist example responsibilities.

Manage the CDS and LIMS systems for the institute.
Manage and record experimental data with lab management software (LIMS).
Manage projects involving the development of GC/MS methods, particle collection systems, and Raman spectral database creation.
Characterize the particles using SEM, DSC, IR, and UV-Vis.
Identify sample structure using microscopy, crystallography, NMR, UV/VIS, GC and AAS.
Develop GC & FTIR instrumental methods of analysis to support quality of incoming raw materials to ensure quality of finish products.

Production scientist vs research chemist skills

Common production scientist skills

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

Common research chemist skills

Laboratory Equipment, 10%
Method Development, 10%
R, 9%
HPLC, 5%
Analytical Chemistry, 5%
Polymer, 5%

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Production Scientist vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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