Become A Quality Control Chemist

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Working As A Quality Control Chemist

Documenting/Recording Information
Interacting With Computers
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Analyzing Data or Information
Processing Information

Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
$56,523
Average Salary

What Does A Quality Control Chemist Do

A Quality Control Chemist uses chemistry lab skills to test and measure materials, usually in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical field. They analyze samples using scientific equipment, prepare study protocols, collect data, and identify and investigate abnormal test results.

How To Become A Quality Control Chemist

Chemists and materials scientists need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field. However, a master’s degree or Ph.D. is required for many research jobs.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in chemistry or in a related field is needed for entry-level chemist or materials scientist jobs. Although some materials scientists hold a degree in materials science, most have a degree in chemistry, physics, or engineering. Many jobs require a master’s degree or a Ph.D. and also may require significant levels of work experience. Chemists and materials scientists with a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience typically lead basic- or applied-research teams.

Many colleges and universities offer degree programs in chemistry that are approved by the American Chemical Society. There are few programs specifically in materials science, but the number of programs is gradually increasing. Some colleges offer materials science as a specialization within their chemistry programs, and some engineering schools offer degrees in the joint field of materials science and engineering. High school students can prepare for college coursework by taking chemistry, math, and computer science classes.

Undergraduate chemistry majors typically are required to take courses in analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. In addition to chemistry coursework, they take classes in mathematics, biological sciences, and physics. Computer science courses are essential, because chemists and materials scientists need computer skills to perform modeling and simulation tasks, manage and manipulate databases, and operate computerized laboratory equipment.

Laboratory experience, either at a college or university, or through internships, fellowships, or work–study programs in industry, is also useful.

Graduate students studying chemistry commonly specialize in a subfield, such as analytical chemistry or inorganic chemistry. For example, those interested in doing research in the pharmaceutical industry usually develop a strong background in medicinal or organic chemistry.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Chemists and materials scientists carry out scientific experiments and studies. They must be precise and accurate in their analyses, because errors could invalidate their research.

Communication skills. Chemists and materials scientists need to communicate with team members and other scientists. They must be able to read and write technical reports and give presentations.

Critical-thinking skills. Chemists and materials scientists carefully evaluate their own work and the work of others. They must determine if results and conclusions are based on sound science.

Interpersonal skills. Chemists and materials scientists typically work on interdisciplinary research teams and need to work well with others toward a common goal. Many serve as team leaders and must be able to motivate and direct other team members.

Math skills. Chemists and materials scientists regularly use complex mathematical equations and formulas, and they need a broad understanding of mathematics, including calculus, algebra, and statistics.

Organizational skills. Chemists and materials scientists need to document processes carefully in order to conform to regulations and industry procedures. Disorganization in the workplace can lead to legal problems, damage to equipment, and chemical spills.

Perseverance. Scientific research involves substantial trial and error, and chemists and materials scientists must not become discouraged in their work.

Problem-solving skills. Chemists and materials scientists research and develop new and improved chemical products, processes, and materials. This work requires a great deal of trial and error on the part of chemists and materials scientists before a unique solution is found.

Time-management skills. Chemists and materials scientists usually need to meet deadlines when conducting research. They must be able to manage time and prioritize tasks efficiently while maintaining their quality of work.

Advancement

Chemists typically receive greater responsibility and independence in their work as they gain experience. Greater responsibility also is gained through further education. Ph.D. chemists usually lead research teams and have control over the direction and content of projects, but even Ph.D. holders have room to advance as they gain experience. As chemists become more proficient in managing research projects, they may take on larger, more complicated, and more expensive projects.

Some chemists and materials scientists become natural sciences managers.

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Quality Control Chemist jobs

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Quality Control Chemist Career Paths

Quality Control Chemist

Senior Chemist Senior Scientist Project Manager

Engineering Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Quality Assurance Specialist Quality Engineer Engineering Manager

Engineering Program Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Quality Control Supervisor Quality Assurance Manager Plant Manager

Manufacturing Director

14 Yearsyrs

Scientist Project Manager Product Manager

Purchasing Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Quality Control Supervisor Quality Control Manager Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Director

11 Yearsyrs

Research Associate Analyst Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Quality Assurance Specialist Quality Assurance Quality Control Manager

Quality Control Director

9 Yearsyrs

Quality Control Quality Control Inspector

Quality Control Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Quality Control Analyst Quality Assurance Analyst Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Manager

11 Yearsyrs

Research Scientist Process Engineer Quality Assurance Manager

Regulatory Affairs Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Associate Scientist Senior Scientist Research And Development Manager

Research And Development Director

12 Yearsyrs

Research Scientist Engineer Research And Development Engineer

Research And Development Project Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Quality Control Project Manager Product Manager

Research And Development Technician

6 Yearsyrs

Analytical Chemist

Senior Chemist

7 Yearsyrs

Quality Assurance Quality Engineer Product Developer

Senior Manager, Product Development

10 Yearsyrs

Quality Control Analyst Quality Assurance Specialist Quality Assurance Manager

Senior Quality Assurance Manager

11 Yearsyrs

Scientist Research Scientist

Senior Research Associate

6 Yearsyrs

Analytical Chemist Scientist

Senior Scientist

9 Yearsyrs

Research Associate Instructor Operations Manager

Supply Chain Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Senior Chemist 4.8 years
Staff Chemist 4.6 years
Senior Quality Control Technician 4.5 years
Chemist Scientist 4.4 years
Quality Control Scientist 3.7 years
Research Chemist 3.7 years
Senior Quality Control Chemist 3.5 years
Chemist, Development 3.5 years
Senior Quality Control Analyst 3.4 years
Research And Development Chemist 3.4 years
Chemist 3.3 years
Quality Control Technician 3.1 years
Analytical Chemist 3.1 years
Associate Chemist 3.1 years
Quality Laboratory Technician 3.1 years
Quality Control Chemist 3.0 years
Quality Assurance Chemist 3.0 years
Analytical Laboratory Technician 3.0 years
Chemist Lead 2.9 years
Quality Control 2.9 years
Chemist/Laboratory Technician 2.8 years
Laboratory Chemist 2.5 years
Quality Control Analyst 2.5 years
Chemist Assistant 2.5 years
Quality Control Associate 2.4 years
Contract Chemist 1.4 years
Quality Control Internship 0.5 years

Top Careers Before Quality Control Chemist

Top Careers After Quality Control Chemist

Quality Control Chemist Demographics

Gender

Male
53.8%
Female
42.4%
Unknown
3.8%

Ethnicity

White
66.6%
Asian
17.6%
Hispanic or Latino
10.3%
Unknown
4.3%
Black or African American
1.2%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
38.1%
French
10.2%
Hindi
6.8%
Mandarin
6.8%
Chinese
6.8%
Arabic
6.8%
Italian
4.1%
Gujarati
3.4%
Vietnamese
2.0%
Korean
2.0%
Cantonese
2.0%
German
2.0%
Japanese
2.0%
Urdu
2.0%
Bengali
1.4%
Telugu
0.7%
Indonesian
0.7%
Hungarian
0.7%
Lithuanian
0.7%
Malay
0.7%

Quality Control Chemist

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Quality Control Chemist Education

Schools

Temple University
8.2%
University of Toledo
5.9%
University of Florida
5.9%
University of California - Davis
5.9%
Fairleigh Dickinson University
5.6%
Purdue University
5.6%
Pennsylvania State University
5.2%
San Jose State University
5.2%
University of Phoenix
5.2%
University of Utah
4.8%
Cleveland State University
4.8%
University of California - San Diego
4.8%
University of Illinois at Chicago
4.5%
Stevens Institute of Technology
4.5%
Michigan State University
4.1%
University of Cincinnati
4.1%
Virginia Commonwealth University
4.1%
Northeastern University
4.1%
University of California - Irvine
3.7%
Middle Tennessee State University
3.7%

Majors

Chemistry 50.6%
Biology 15.3%
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology 6.9%
Pharmacy 6.4%
Business 4.2%
Chemical Engineering 3.0%
Biotechnology 1.6%
Food Science 1.4%
Environmental Science 1.4%
Criminal Justice 1.2%
Microbiology 1.0%
Management 1.0%
Project Management 1.0%
Cell Biology And Anatomical Science 0.8%
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians 0.8%
Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology 0.7%
Chemical Technology 0.7%
Biomedical Sciences 0.6%
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science 0.6%
Education 0.6%

Degrees

Bachelors
56.1%
Masters
28.6%
Other
5.4%
Doctorate
4.6%
Associate
2.6%
Certificate
2.3%
Diploma
0.4%
License
0.1%

Quality Control Chemist

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Real Quality Control Chemist Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Quality Control Chemist Manager	Aviation Fueling Consulting Corp	Miramar, FL	Aug 16, 2016	$128,440
Quality Control Chemist	Bizlink Technology, Inc.	Fremont, CA	Jan 06, 2016	$114,941
Supervisor Quality Control Chemist	Jubilant Cadista Pharmaceuticals Inc.	Salisbury, MD	Oct 24, 2015	$81,110
Quality Control Chemist	Bactolac Pharmaceutical Inc.	Hauppauge, NY	Jan 10, 2016	$80,501
Supervisor, Quality Control Chemist	Jubilant Cadista Pharmaceuticals Inc.	Salisbury, MD	Nov 05, 2015	$78,107
Quality Control Chemist	Sciegen Pharmaceuticals Inc.	Hauppauge, NY	Jan 10, 2016	$77,575
Quality Control Chemist	Protech Minerals, Inc.	Victorville, CA	Mar 10, 2015	$77,230
Analytical QC Chemist	New Jersey Laboratories	New Brunswick, NJ	Jan 09, 2016	$76,960
Quality Control Chemist	Contract Pharmacal Corp.	Hauppauge, NY	Jun 14, 2016	$74,464
Quality Control Chemist/Scientist	Ascent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Central Islip, NY	Jun 11, 2016	$74,000
QC Chemist	Sigmapharm Laboratories, LLC	Bensalem, PA	Nov 01, 2016	$72,093
QC Chemist	Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.	Cranbury, NJ	Sep 20, 2016	$71,000
QC Chemist	Ambiopharm, Inc.	North Augusta, SC	May 01, 2015	$70,457
Quality Control Chemist II	Stason Pharmaceutical	Irvine, CA	Feb 25, 2016	$63,918
Quality Control Chemist/Scientist	Ascent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Central Islip, NY	Jun 11, 2016	$63,500
Quality Control Chemist/Scientist	Ascent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Central Islip, NY	Jun 11, 2016	$63,000
Quality Control Chemist	Belcher Pharmaceuticals, LLC	Largo, FL	Oct 01, 2015	$62,000
Quality Control Staff Chemist	Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Services	Devens, MA	Oct 28, 2015	$61,386
Quality Control Chemist	Invagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Hauppauge, NY	Sep 30, 2016	$61,360
QC Chemist	Vita-Pure, Inc.	Roselle, NJ	Sep 05, 2015	$60,523
Quality Control Chemist	Epic Pharma LLC	NY	Sep 19, 2016	$53,518
Quality Control Chemist	Invagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Hauppauge, NY	Oct 01, 2015	$53,000
Quality Control Chemist	SPI Pharma, Inc.	Lewes, DE	Sep 30, 2016	$52,562
Quality Control Chemist	Bactolac Pharmaceutical Inc.	Hauppauge, NY	Oct 01, 2015	$52,500
Quality Control Chemist	SPI Pharma, Inc.	DE	Sep 30, 2016	$52,500
Quality Control Chemist	SPI Pharma, Inc.	Lewes, DE	Sep 30, 2016	$52,420
Quality Control Chemist	SPI Pharma, Inc.	Lewes, DE	Sep 30, 2016	$52,416
Quality Control Chemist	Norwich Pharmaceutical, Inc.	Norwich, NY	Sep 04, 2015	$52,261

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Top Skills for A Quality Control Chemist

Top Quality Control Chemist Skills

Lab Equipment
Raw Materials
Drug Products

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Perform all necessary calibrations on lab equipment.
Reviewed controlled material reports and certificate of analysis for all incoming raw materials and coordinated testing.
Performed routine product stability and release testing of drug products.
Performed routine GC and HPLC waters empower3 and method transfers analysis (including integration and result calculations).
Execute methods for calibration of analytical instruments.