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The differences between quality control chemists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research chemist has an average salary of $75,843, which is higher than the $58,892 average annual salary of a quality control chemist.
The top three skills for a quality control chemist include QC, HPLC and lab equipment. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.
| Quality Control Chemist | Research Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $58,892 | $75,843 |
| Hourly rate | $28.31 | $36.46 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 90,467 | 53,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
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.
Quality control chemists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Control Chemist | Research Chemist | |
| Average salary | $58,892 | $75,843 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $75,000 | Between $53,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | North Kingstown, RI | McLean, VA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Hallstar | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a quality control chemist and a research chemist in terms of educational background:
| Quality Control Chemist | Research Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between quality control chemists' and research chemists' demographics:
| Quality Control Chemist | Research Chemist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5% | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% |
| 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, 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 | 5% | 5% |