Senior research chemist vs laboratory chemist

The differences between senior research chemists and laboratory chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior research chemist has an average salary of $95,520, which is higher than the $62,702 average annual salary of a laboratory chemist.

The top three skills for a senior research chemist include R, chemistry and product development. The most important skills for a laboratory chemist are lab equipment, chromatography, and analytical methods.

Senior research chemist vs laboratory chemist overview

	Senior Research Chemist	Laboratory Chemist
Yearly salary	$95,520	$62,702
Hourly rate	$45.92	$30.15
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	55,511	41,322
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

Senior research chemist vs laboratory chemist salary

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

	Senior Research Chemist	Laboratory Chemist
Average salary	$95,520	$62,702
Salary range	Between $69,000 And $130,000	Between $45,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Nutley, NJ
Highest paying state	Washington	Virginia
Best paying company	Crunchbase	BASF
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Manufacturing

Differences between senior research chemist and laboratory chemist education

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

	Senior Research Chemist	Laboratory Chemist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Southern California

Senior research chemist vs laboratory chemist demographics

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

	Senior Research Chemist	Laboratory Chemist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%	Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 27.5% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 18.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between senior research chemist and laboratory chemist duties and responsibilities

Senior research chemist example responsibilities.

Manage an analytical laboratory, which include SEM-EDS, GC-MS, GPC, FT-IR, ICP-MS, TGA and DSC equipment.
Conduct HPLC analysis of two main products to support equivalency programs.
Establish the fast HPLC column screening system and serve as super user.
Calculate amounts of unknown components of a distillation bottoms mixture using NMR.
Train over twenty plant operators and scientists to use the FTIR system.
Act as leading analyst to provide analytical services to several GMP API productions.

Laboratory chemist example responsibilities.

Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
Perform testing on BioGlue components, titration - uv-vis - gel electrophoresis, and FTIR examination of incoming raw materials.
Develop and execute HPLC, UV and dissolution test methods for non-routine raw materials and finish products.
Conduct raw material analyses, perform tests using FTIR and GC instrumentation, develop policies and procedures, conduct trouble shooting.
Include GPC, GC-MS, FTIR, NMR and others
Participate in all kind of audit like ISO 17025, ISO 18001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Senior research chemist vs laboratory chemist skills

Common senior research chemist skills

R, 16%
Chemistry, 14%
Product Development, 8%
Analytical Laboratory, 6%
Organic Synthesis, 4%
Polymer, 4%

Common laboratory chemist skills

Lab Equipment, 8%
Chromatography, 5%
Analytical Methods, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 4%
Wet Chemistry, 4%

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Senior Research Chemist
Senior Research Chemist vs Laboratory Chemist

Updated January 8, 2025

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