There’s no denying that when you pursue a career that aligns with your interests and skills, you’re more likely to experience fulfilment and a sense of purpose. Choosing the right career can mean opportunities for growth and better earning potential on your way to achieving your personal and professional goals.
A well-chosen career path can provide opportunities for continuous learning, skill development, and advancement. When it comes to chemistry vs. chemical engineering, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s take a look at what careers in these fields are all about.
A Career in Chemistry
Chemistry is a rewarding career path if you’re fascinated by the fundamental building blocks of our world. As a chemist, you’ll delve into the intricacies of atoms and molecules, exploring their properties and reactions.
You might spend hours in well-equipped laboratories, designing and conducting experiments to synthesize new compounds, investigate the mechanisms of chemical reactions, or develop innovative materials with groundbreaking applications. A career in chemistry allows you to contribute to advancements in medicine, materials science, energy, and countless other fields that shape our modern world
A Career in Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering careers generally involve applying chemistry to design and industrial processes.
This multifaceted field focuses on issues including:
- Scaling up laboratory-scale reactions to large-scale manufacturing plants
- Optimizing production systems for maximum efficiency and minimal waste
- Ensuring the safety and environmental compliance of operations
Chemical engineers play a critical role in developing and improving the processes that produce everyday products, from pharmaceuticals and fuels to food and consumer goods. Their expertise is highly sought after in various industries, as well as in manufacturing plants, and consulting firms.
Chemistry vs. Chemical Engineering Careers: What Are Some of the Key Difference?
Chemistry focuses on the fundamental principles of matter and its transformations, delving into the theoretical aspects of chemical reactions, molecular structures, and properties.
You’re likely to find chemists as vital players in arenas like:
- Pharmaceuticals: Chemists play a crucial role in the drug discovery process, from identifying and synthesizing new drug candidates to optimizing their structure and properties for maximum efficacy and safety.
- Biotechnology: Chemists are critical in utilizing biological systems and organisms to develop new products and technologies. They are involved in the genetic engineering of organisms, the production of therapeutic proteins, the development of new vaccines and diagnostics, and the creation of biofuels and other renewable energy sources
- Materials Science: Here, they develop new materials with advanced properties such as high strength, lightweight, conductivity, and biocompatibility for a wide range of applications in fields like aerospace, electronics, medicine, and energy.
- Environmental Science: A chemist in this field is likely to analyze pollutants in air, water, and soil samples; as well as develop remediation strategies for environmental cleanup, such as using chemical treatments or bioremediation techniques to remove contaminants from the environment.
Chemical Engineering applies the principles of chemistry to solve practical problems on an industrial scale. Their work integrates chemical knowledge with engineering principles, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and process control in areas such as:
- Process Design and Optimization: Chemical engineers design and optimize chemical processes for the efficient and cost-effective production of various products, such as fuels, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. This involves developing flow diagrams, selecting equipment, and determining optimal operating conditions.
- Material and Product Development: They play a crucial role in developing new materials with improved properties, such as strength, durability, and conductivity. This includes researching and developing new polymers, ceramics, and other advanced materials.
- Plant Operation and Safety: Chemical engineers ensure the safe and efficient operation of large-scale manufacturing plants. This involves monitoring plant operations, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and implementing safety protocols to prevent accidents.
- Environmental Protection: They are also involved in developing and implementing environmentally sustainable processes and technologies to minimize the environmental impact of industrial operations.
When it comes to chemistry vs. chemical engineering, both fields require strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Chemical engineering necessitates a deeper understanding of engineering principles and a focus on large-scale applications.
Licensure as a professional engineer is often a crucial step for career advancement in chemical engineering, whereas it is generally not required for chemists.
Chemistry vs. Chemical Engineering – Work Environment
Chemists do a significant portion of their work in laboratories, where they conduct experiments, analyze data, and perform chemical analyses. They also spend time in offices analyzing data, writing reports, and presenting research findings.
Some may work in manufacturing facilities to oversee production processes, ensure quality control, and troubleshoot production issues.
Chemical engineers commonly work in office settings analyzing data, designing processes, and preparing reports. They also spend time in laboratories conducting experiments, overseeing pilot plant operations, and troubleshooting equipment. Most chemical engineers work full-time, and some often work more than 40 hours per week, especially during project deadlines or when addressing operational issues.
Chemistry vs. Chemical Engineering – Education and Training
A career in chemistry commonly begins with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science, or a related field, and is typically required for entry-level positions. Advanced degrees (master’s degree or Ph.D.) are often necessary for research positions, academic roles, and advanced research and development positions.
To enter the chemical engineering field, a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering through an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited college or university is the minimum for entry into the profession if you intend on obtaining a professional license. If you do not intend on being professionally licensed then this is not required however, many opt for an ABET approved program do to having the ability to be licensed. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have gained practical experience through internships or co-op programs. These experiences provide valuable hands-on skills and allow students to explore different areas of chemical engineering.
Chemistry vs. Chemical Engineering – Salary
The median annual wage for a chemist was $84,680 in May 2023.
The median annual wage for a chemical engineer was $112,100 in May 2023.
Chemistry vs. Chemical Engineering – Job Outlook
Overall employment of chemists is projected to grow by 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by factors such as increasing demand for new materials with advanced properties in electronics, energy, and medicine, as well as the need for environmental remediation technologies, and advancements in nanotechnology and biotechnology.
An estimated 7,800 openings for chemists and materials scientists are projected each year on average over the decade.
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow by 10 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is significantly faster than the average for all occupations. This strong growth is driven by increasing demand for new materials, renewable energy sources, and more efficient industrial processes.
An estimated 1,400 openings for chemical engineers are projected each year on average over the decade.
Ready to Take a Closer Look?
Chemistry and chemical engineering are rapidly growing fields. If you think there’s a place for you in one of them, McKissock Learning has the Engineering PDH courses you’ll want. McKissock Learning PDH courses offer a personalized learning experience featuring expert authors and professionals in their fields, instructor assistance, and foundational knowledge in courses approved by state governing boards.
