How to hire a quality control chemist

How to hire a quality control chemist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step quality control chemist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a quality control chemist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new quality control chemist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a quality control chemist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the quality control chemist you need to hire. Certain quality control chemist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A quality control chemist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, quality control chemists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents quality control chemist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Quality Control Chemist	Description	Hourly rate
   Quality Control Chemist	Chemists and materials scientists study substances at the atomic and molecular levels and the ways in which the substances interact with one another. They use their knowledge to develop new and improved products and to test the quality of manufactured goods.	$21-36
   Chemical Technician	A chemical technician is responsible for supporting chemists and laboratory technicians in performing laboratory investigations and examining chemical components and structures. Chemical technicians ensure the stability of laboratory tools and equipment, performing proper sterilization and segregation of disposable materials, and maintaining the adequacy of inventory... Show more	$14-27
   Laboratory Analyst	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.	$14-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • QC
   • HPLC
   • Lab Equipment
   • GMP
   • Analytical Methods
   • UV/Vis
   • FDA
   • Drug Products
   • Test Methods
   • FTIR
   • Test Results
   • R
   • GC
   • Ms

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage investigations of out of spec results and complaints in CatsWEB CAPA management system.
   • Verify raw material compliance utilizing ICP, FTIR, and USP wet chemistry methods.
   • Perform analysis utilizing UV/VIS, FTIR, Karl Fischer, and TLC.
   • Perform the potency studies, dissolution, and uniformity, by using HPLC, GC, and UV/VIS.
   • Analyze active ingredients in sunscreens, volatile organics, and preservatives utilizing ICP, GC, NIRS, and HPLC.
   • Execute dissolution and disintegration testing and microbiology testing with compliance requirements within GMP, GLP, and FDA regulatory environments.

   More quality control chemist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your quality control chemist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A quality control chemist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, quality control chemists' average salary in wyoming is 47% less than in vermont.
   • Seniority. Entry-level quality control chemists 40% less than senior-level quality control chemists.
   • Certifications. A quality control chemist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a quality control chemist's salary.

   Average quality control chemist salary

   $58,892yearly

   $28.31 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level quality control chemist salary

   $45,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average quality control chemist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Rhode Island	$71,401	$34
   2	Massachusetts	$71,128	$34
   3	New Jersey	$69,736	$34
   4	Texas	$60,955	$29
   5	Minnesota	$58,497	$28
   6	Pennsylvania	$57,087	$27
   7	New York	$56,986	$27
   8	California	$56,751	$27
   9	North Carolina	$56,241	$27
   10	Alabama	$53,752	$26
   11	Ohio	$52,461	$25
   12	Illinois	$52,059	$25
   13	Arizona	$52,007	$25
   14	Indiana	$50,217	$24
   15	Florida	$49,312	$24
   16	Utah	$48,730	$23

   Average quality control chemist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Hallstar	$69,182	$33.26
   2	Kao Brands	$67,729	$32.56
   3	Veritas Health Services Inc	$67,545	$32.47
   4	FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies	$66,133	$31.79	26
   5	Vertellus	$66,032	$31.75
   6	CP Kelco	$66,026	$31.74
   7	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$65,814	$31.64	148
   8	AstraZeneca	$65,670	$31.57	8
   9	Sandoz	$65,653	$31.56	1
   10	SCIENTECH	$65,560	$31.52
   11	Watson Pharma Pvt Ltd	$65,536	$31.51
   12	Johnson Matthey Plc	$65,183	$31.34	1
   13	Sigma-Aldrich	$64,958	$31.23
   14	Nalco Holding Company	$64,627	$31.07
   15	Momar	$64,624	$31.07
   16	Blistex	$64,328	$30.93	2
   17	General Electric	$63,933	$30.74	135
   18	AMRI	$63,610	$30.58
   19	Air Liquide	$63,596	$30.57
   20	Hydrite	$63,237	$30.40	6

4. Writing a quality control chemist job description

   A quality control chemist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a quality control chemist job description:

   Quality control chemist job description example

   The Quality Control Chemist is responsible for daily lab testing with the purpose of accepting or rejecting test samples based on pre-determined specifications. The successful candidate will be able to work quickly and safely and will assist the Quality Control Manager with other tasks, as needed.
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. • Performs laboratory tests including pH, fluoride, viscosity, specific gravity, color, and appearance.
   • Tests raw materials, bulk intermediates, finished products and stability samples for specific quality attributes.
   • Uses and maintains HPLC, GC, FTIR, and other instruments.
   • Assists in performing method validations.
   • Performs a variety of wet lab techniques including but not limited to: titrations, pH, ISE, etc.
   • Writes and revises SOPs and tests methods as needed.
   • Follows documented procedures: SOPs, test methods, transfer protocols.
   • Prepares reports and reviews data.
   • Follows lab safety procedures.
   • Performs other tasks, as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None Competencies
   QUALIFICATIONS to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. LANGUAGE SKILLS Able to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Able to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Able to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. REASONING ABILITY Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Able to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and depth perception. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Company DescriptionDental Technologies, Inc. is a company specializing in the research, formulation, compounding and packaging of dental, orthodontic and oral pharmaceutical products. Some products include dental restoratives, core build-ups, bonding agents, orthodontic adhesives, prophylaxis paste, fluoride treatments, toothpaste and varnishes. Dental Technologies maintains the ISO 13485:2016 quality system and employs more than 70 people, with research at the focus of our strategy. Dental Technologies, Inc. is dedicated to excellence in research & development, manufacturing, in-depth testing, efficient packaging, and personalized service. With process control experts committed to the highest level of integrity, quality, and service, Dental Technologies, Inc. ensures risk free product manufacturing - See more at: www.dentaltech.com/

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find quality control chemists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your quality control chemist job on Zippia to find and recruit quality control chemist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with quality control chemist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new quality control chemist

   Once you've decided on a perfect quality control chemist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new quality control chemist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a quality control chemist?