It has been a few years since Happi conducted its last R&D Salary Survey—in which we take a quick poll of the chemists and R&D staff who subscribe to our print magazine and online newsletters. Our goal with this survey is take an the pulse of the sector, what you are working on and how you feel about your jobs, including what bothers you most—is it office politics or lack of advancement…..
 
This past year, of course, we had a much different issue to contend with: COVID-19. We asked questions about this, too.
 
As in the past, this year’s survey was conducted online and our respondents came from manufacturers of personal care/beauty products, household products and industrial and institutional cleaning products (I&I) as well as suppliers that offer raw materials and other service providers, such as testing firms. 
 
Below are results and insights from our 2021 survey. You can find our previous survey here.

 
COMPENSATION MATTERS

Median salaries from those participating in our survey this year were:
 
Chemist/Formulator—$50K
Senior Chemist/Formulator—$70K
Lab/Technical/R&D Manager—$82.5K
R&D Director—$120K
 
 
 
By gender, 59% of women said they received a raise and 47% percent of women said they received a bonus. For the men, 58% received a raise and 54% said they received a bonus.
 
JOB FRUSTRATIONS
 
For women, the top three concerns were: inadequate compensation; pressure from the marketing department/new product launch demands; and finding “clean” ingredients as replacements for current materials.
 
For men, the top three concerns were: sourcing ingredients/raw material shortages/prices; inadequate compensation; and internal politics.


COVID CONCERNS