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The differences between quality control chemists and microbiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a quality control chemist has an average salary of $58,892, which is higher than the $54,620 average annual salary of a microbiologist.
The top three skills for a quality control chemist include QC, HPLC and lab equipment. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.
| Quality Control Chemist | Microbiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $58,892 | $54,620 |
| Hourly rate | $28.31 | $26.26 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 90,467 | 11,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
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.
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
Quality control chemists and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Control Chemist | Microbiologist | |
| Average salary | $58,892 | $54,620 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $75,000 | Between $39,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | North Kingstown, RI | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Hallstar | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a quality control chemist and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:
| Quality Control Chemist | Microbiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between quality control chemists' and microbiologists' demographics:
| Quality Control Chemist | Microbiologist | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 21.4% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 10% |