Senior chemist vs research chemist

The differences between senior chemists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior chemist has an average salary of $91,008, which is higher than the $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.

The top three skills for a senior chemist include method development, laboratory equipment and HPLC. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Senior chemist vs research chemist overview

	Senior Chemist	Research Chemist
Yearly salary	$91,008	$75,843
Hourly rate	$43.75	$36.46
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	12,823	53,769
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

What does a senior chemist do?

Senior Chemists are responsible for designing, developing, and testing formulations and compounds. They also maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and relevant documentation.

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.

Senior chemist vs research chemist salary

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

	Senior Chemist	Research Chemist
Average salary	$91,008	$75,843
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $123,000	Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	McLean, VA
Highest paying state	Vermont	Virginia
Best paying company	Google	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Energy

Differences between senior chemist and research chemist education

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

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

Senior chemist vs research chemist demographics

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

	Senior Chemist	Research Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 22.3% White, 55.7% 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%

Differences between senior chemist and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Senior chemist example responsibilities.

Manage an analytical laboratory, which include SEM-EDS, GC-MS, GPC, FT-IR, ICP-MS, TGA and DSC equipment.
Conduct GC-MS, TGA, and FTIR, UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis of extractables and elemental impurities.
Develop Simethicone assay method by FT-IR in liquid dosage.
Used EPA methods for actinide, technetium, strontium, and tritium determination.
Prepare submission documentation, including CMC sections, for IDE and PMA submissions.
Supervise mobile lab team of analysts at various EPA super fund site locations for PCB and halo-hydrocarbons analysis testing.

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.

Senior chemist vs research chemist skills

Common senior chemist skills

Method Development, 8%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
HPLC, 5%
Analytical Methods, 5%
R, 4%
GMP, 4%

Common research chemist skills

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

Senior Chemist vs. similar jobs

Senior Chemist related careers

Senior Chemist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Senior Chemist
Senior Chemist vs Research Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs