Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between technical scientists and research 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 $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.
The top three skills for a technical scientist include molecular biology, GMP and data analysis. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.
| Technical Scientist | Research Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $90,867 | $75,843 |
| Hourly rate | $43.69 | $36.46 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 112,408 | 53,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
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.
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.
Technical scientists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Scientist | Research Chemist | |
| Average salary | $90,867 | $75,843 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $125,000 | Between $53,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | McLean, VA |
| Highest paying state | California | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Apple | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Energy |
There are a few differences between a technical scientist and a research chemist in terms of educational background:
| Technical Scientist | Research Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | 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 technical scientists' and research chemists' demographics:
| Technical Scientist | Research Chemist | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 7.4% 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% |