Validation scientist vs validation specialist

The differences between validation scientists and validation specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a validation scientist and a validation specialist. Additionally, a validation specialist has an average salary of $91,034, which is higher than the $77,661 average annual salary of a validation scientist.

The top three skills for a validation scientist include FDA, chemistry and GMP. The most important skills for a validation specialist are GMP, FDA, and IQ/OQ/PQ.

Validation scientist vs validation specialist overview

	Validation Scientist	Validation Specialist
Yearly salary	$77,661	$91,034
Hourly rate	$37.34	$43.77
Growth rate	17%	3%
Number of jobs	48,711	2,812
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	4	4

What does a validation scientist do?

A Validation Scientist evaluates and validates products and procedures through the scientific perspective, typically by conducting laboratory tests and experiments. They conduct extensive research and analysis to ensure that products comply with industry standards and specifications, utilizing the research findings to develop solutions and recommendations. They are also in charge of establishing guidelines and test plans, maintaining all procedures while adhering to protocols and regulations. Moreover, a Validation Scientist manages a team of validation staff, working together to reach project goals.

What does a validation specialist do?

A validation specialist participates in validation, calibration, and temperature mapping activities. You will perform various tasks that include measuring software or instrument performance, establishing and maintaining methods for controlling the manufacturing process, and developing efficient ways to analyze data and monitor product performance. As a validation specialist, you are responsible for developing and testing algorithms and performing failure analysis and software and hardware debugging. You are also expected to work closely with senior engineers to improve the quality assurance and development process.

Validation scientist vs validation specialist salary

Validation scientists and validation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Validation Scientist	Validation Specialist
Average salary	$77,661	$91,034
Salary range	Between $55,000 And $109,000	Between $68,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City	South San Francisco, CA	Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	AstraZeneca	AQR Capital Management
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Manufacturing

Differences between validation scientist and validation specialist education

There are a few differences between a validation scientist and a validation specialist in terms of educational background:

	Validation Scientist	Validation Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	University of Southern California	-

Validation scientist vs validation specialist demographics

Here are the differences between validation scientists' and validation specialists' demographics:

	Validation Scientist	Validation Specialist
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%	Male, 57.3% Female, 42.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 17.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	8%	5%

Differences between validation scientist and validation specialist duties and responsibilities

Validation scientist example responsibilities.

Manage customer complaints investigations using CAPA system.
Develop, implement, and maintain validation procedures according to regulatory requirements/guidelines (GMP, GLP, ICH, USP).
Perform technical writing including documentation of test methods and validation protocols in compliance with FDA regulations.
Audit the GMP labs for inspection readiness.
Conduct investigation process through CAPA system when adverse conditions are find.
Provide front line technical support for document management systems and SQL LIMS.

Validation specialist example responsibilities.

Manage all cleaning validation schedule and coordinate activities with QA and/or external laboratories and operations.
Perform cleaning validation for a bulk pharmaceutical blending facility and take part in GMP training of plant employees.
Qualify sterile transfer skid equipment, transfer and clean-in-place (CIP) processes.
Perform gap analysis of QC procedures and protocols for dissolution bath and washer machines.
Generate URS, ICA, and IOQ documents used to qualify and validate equipment.
Create and write procedures for validation, reliability, and returns departments for ISO certification.

Validation scientist vs validation specialist skills

Common validation scientist skills

FDA, 7%
Chemistry, 7%
GMP, 7%
Data Analysis, 5%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Method Validation, 4%

Common validation specialist skills

GMP, 7%
FDA, 7%
IQ/OQ/PQ, 5%
Iq Oq Pq, 5%
Summary Reports, 4%
Laboratory Equipment, 4%

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Validation Scientist
Validation Scientist vs Validation Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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