Chromatography Forum

Hello, I am young chemist who started career in chromatography GC and HPLC. Country where I live looks like IT specialists have more opportunities and can earn much more than chemists. That why I want to understand more about the opportunities in this field and If it is good career choice. So at the moment I am working In pharmacy field. I am testing medicine drugs using GC and HPLC. And in the future I am planning to learn more about new method development. Also I am looking for opportunities In worldwide. I want to understand with countries offer the best opportunities and have respect for this profession. So I have questions for specialists who are working In this field more than 2+ years.
1. Are you satisfied being a chromatography specialist?
2. Where are you located for example city, country?
3. How to do you see this profession ?
4. Your salary or expectation. ( If it is not secret) Because In my opinion If you are successful It should not be a secret, but its up to you.
5. Compared to other professions are you doing well? I mean are you competitive?

1. Are you satisfied being a chromatography specialist?
I WAS SATISFIED. I WORKED IN R&D, DID TROUBLESHOOTING FOR MANUFACTURING, SUPPORTED R&D PROJECTS, AND DID TEST METHOD DEVELOPMENT/cGMP VALIDATION FOR R&D AND MANUFACTURING SITES.

2. Where are you located for example city, country?
USA

3. How to do you see this profession ?
MY JOB DUTIES PAID CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN SOMEONE WHO JUST PERFORMS TESTING.

4. Your salary or expectation. ( If it is not secret) Because In my opinion If you are successful It should not be a secret, but its up to you.
I'M RETIRED NOW, FINANCIALLY COMFORTABLE, HAD PENSION PLAN, 401k. I BELIEVE I WAS ABOUT MAKING ABOUT $130K USD PLUS BONUS IF COMPANY MET GOALS NEAR THE END OF MY CAREER.

5. Compared to other professions are you doing well? I mean are you competitive?
SEE ABOVE. I FELT SO.

I worked for decades in Petrochemical quality control labs. Not just chromatography, also spectroscopy, wet method and physical testing. Primarily in greater Houston, TX (USA) area. Salary in 6 figures. Very rewarding. IT jobs can be moved easily. Physical assets like a manufacturing plant cannot be easily moved to a different region or country. I will say that in my industry, the leading career choice is chemical engineering, not chemist. Easily 10 to 1 ratio of engineers to chemists. Almost no chemist advancement possible outside of laboratory or technical support.