Scientist vs research chemist

The differences between scientists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.

The top three skills for a scientist include chemistry, data analysis and patients. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Scientist vs research chemist overview

	Scientist	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$97,344	$75,843
Hourly rate	$46.80	$36.46
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	62,467	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	41	42
Years of experience	4	-

What does a scientist do?

A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.

What does a research chemist do?

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.

Scientist vs research chemist salary

Scientists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Scientist	Research Chemist
Average salary	$97,344	$75,843
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $140,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Redwood City, CA	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	California	Virginia
Best paying company	Airbnb	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Technology	Energy

Differences between scientist and research chemist education

There are a few differences between a scientist and a research chemist in terms of educational background:

	Scientist	Research Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Scientist vs research chemist demographics

Here are the differences between scientists' and research chemists' demographics:

	Scientist	Research Chemist
Average age	41	42
Gender ratio	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	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	8%	5%

Differences between scientist and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Scientist example responsibilities.

Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Research chemist example responsibilities.

Manage the CDS and LIMS systems for the institute.
Manage and record experimental data with lab management software (LIMS).
Manage projects involving the development of GC/MS methods, particle collection systems, and Raman spectral database creation.
Characterize the particles using SEM, DSC, IR, and UV-Vis.
Identify sample structure using microscopy, crystallography, NMR, UV/VIS, GC and AAS.
Develop GC & FTIR instrumental methods of analysis to support quality of incoming raw materials to ensure quality of finish products.

Scientist vs research chemist skills

Common scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Data Analysis, 7%
Patients, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Cell Culture, 4%
Java, 3%

Common research chemist skills

Laboratory Equipment, 10%
Method Development, 10%
R, 9%
HPLC, 5%
Analytical Chemistry, 5%
Polymer, 5%

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Scientist vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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