Project chemist vs laboratory chemist

The differences between project chemists and laboratory chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a laboratory chemist has an average salary of $62,702, which is higher than the $54,278 average annual salary of a project chemist.

The top three skills for a project chemist include gas chromatography, method development and laboratory services. The most important skills for a laboratory chemist are lab equipment, chromatography, and analytical methods.

Project chemist vs laboratory chemist overview

	Project Chemist	Laboratory Chemist
Yearly salary	$54,278	$62,702
Hourly rate	$26.10	$30.15
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	7,988	41,322
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

Project chemist vs laboratory chemist salary

Project chemists and laboratory chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Project Chemist	Laboratory Chemist
Average salary	$54,278	$62,702
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $81,000	Between $45,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	-	Nutley, NJ
Highest paying state	-	Virginia
Best paying company	-	BASF
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between project chemist and laboratory chemist education

There are a few differences between a project chemist and a laboratory chemist in terms of educational background:

	Project Chemist	Laboratory Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of California, Berkeley	University of Southern California

Project chemist vs laboratory chemist demographics

Here are the differences between project chemists' and laboratory chemists' demographics:

	Project Chemist	Laboratory Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 62.8% Female, 37.2%	Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 18.3% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 18.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between project chemist and laboratory chemist duties and responsibilities

Project chemist example responsibilities.

Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
Use LIMS to monitor samples world-wide and communicate with global sites in order to keep track of data for specific projects.
Review project-specific sampling and analysis plans and subsequent translation of those requirements into the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
Take initiative to be cross-train in chemistry methods used by the company to perform additional tests that ensure uninterrupt laboratory operation.
Perform testing on gas chromatograph to verify PCB contamination levels.

Laboratory chemist example responsibilities.

Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
Perform testing on BioGlue components, titration - uv-vis - gel electrophoresis, and FTIR examination of incoming raw materials.
Develop and execute HPLC, UV and dissolution test methods for non-routine raw materials and finish products.
Conduct raw material analyses, perform tests using FTIR and GC instrumentation, develop policies and procedures, conduct trouble shooting.
Include GPC, GC-MS, FTIR, NMR and others
Participate in all kind of audit like ISO 17025, ISO 18001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Project chemist vs laboratory chemist skills

Common project chemist skills

Gas Chromatography, 9%
Method Development, 8%
Laboratory Services, 8%
DOD, 7%
Analytical Methods, 6%
Analytical Instrumentation, 5%

Common laboratory chemist skills

Lab Equipment, 8%
Chromatography, 5%
Analytical Methods, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 4%
Wet Chemistry, 4%

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Project Chemist
Project Chemist vs Laboratory Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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