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Technical scientist vs chemist

The differences between technical scientists and chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a technical scientist has an average salary of $90,867, which is higher than the $64,961 average annual salary of a chemist.

The top three skills for a technical scientist include molecular biology, GMP and data analysis. The most important skills for a chemist are chemistry, lab equipment, and test results.

Technical scientist vs chemist overview

Technical ScientistChemist
Yearly salary$90,867$64,961
Hourly rate$43.69$31.23
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs112,40820,221
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age4142
Years of experience4-

What does a technical scientist do?

A Technical Scientist is responsible for using established literature on laboratory techniques and basic scientific experimentation to improve processes and products. Their duties include developing solutions for routine and non-routine problems, evaluating workflow progress against objectives, inspect scientific data, and present laboratory results, and contribute to the implementation of new processes within a team. They must ensure compliance with safe working practice, quality standards, and its relevant environment and risk management system workplace guidelines. A Technical Scientist must have advanced knowledge in data analysis tools such as spreadsheets and have well-rounded communication skills for effective presentation to a wide demographic.

What does a chemist do?

Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter. A chemist usually takes time performing research and conducting experiments to test and further improve the quality and usage of a specific chemical substance. Chemists are expected to write on their observations and findings to establish scientific results.

Technical scientist vs chemist salary

Technical scientists and chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical ScientistChemist
Average salary$90,867$64,961
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $125,000Between $46,000 And $90,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CAWilmington, DE
Highest paying stateCaliforniaDelaware
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between technical scientist and chemist education

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

Technical ScientistChemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Technical scientist vs chemist demographics

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

Technical ScientistChemist
Average age4142
Gender ratioMale, 58.7% Female, 41.3%Male, 59.6% Female, 40.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%5%

Differences between technical scientist and chemist duties and responsibilities

Technical scientist example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
  • Perform data analysis, GMP documentation and equipment maintenance.
  • Line support expertise of the manufacturing and QC processes for cell controls.
  • Participate in the methods transfer, validation, EP monograph and USP monograph using HPLC analysis of raw materials.
  • Perform HPLC purification of a monoclonal antibody used as a diagnostic reagent.
  • Develop characterization and validation protocols per remediation activities identify after commitment with the FDA.
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Chemist example responsibilities.

  • Lead QA, engineering, and operations training events.
  • Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
  • Perform analysis of drug substance and drug product using HPLC, GC, dissolution and UV/VIS.
  • Utilize IR, AA, UV, HPLC and other chemical analysis equipment to assess product quality.
  • Prepare solutions to run on HPLC, ICP and AA instruments.
  • Involve in operation and preventative maintenance of LC/MS, GC/FID, and HPLC instrumentation.
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Technical scientist vs chemist skills

Common technical scientist skills
  • Molecular Biology, 7%
  • GMP, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 5%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
Common chemist skills
  • Chemistry, 20%
  • Lab Equipment, 7%
  • Test Results, 7%
  • Product Development, 5%
  • Method Development, 5%
  • HPLC, 5%

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