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gangstashit818 t1_iye09e4 wrote

Reply to comment by Sheppard47 in Going back to school worth it? by [deleted]

I live in Los Angeles and work in aerospace as an analytical chemist and make $20/hr

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Sheppard47 t1_iye12io wrote

That’s wildly underpaid, we start junior chemists at 30/hr. Fresh out of undergrad with 0 experience. A analytical lab chemist, mid level, should be 80-100k a year. Maybe it’s your area, or maybe aerospace pays less than Pharma. Also, LA is not a manufacturing hub for Pharma, so not a good place to be a chemist. I’m east coast, and always have been, so can’t speak to your area. I can say everywhere I have been pays more in lower COL areas.

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gangstashit818 t1_iye1s4l wrote

Takeda pharmaceutical and Amgen biopharmaceutical are both a 20 minute drive from where I live. Applied to both probably 100 times and can't get an interview.

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Sheppard47 t1_iye38a9 wrote

Very odd, maybe get some one to check your resume. Also, Takeda is headquartered in boston, and has sites around the world. LA might very well be saturated and more difficult to get a job with no experience. May be that is the case in general in LA. Again, I am a life long east coast guy.

It might be worth while to pursue larger manufacturing sites where less talent is located.

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gangstashit818 t1_iye40gb wrote

Those both sound like fantastic ideas. I hate this city anyway lol. It's so overcrowded and dirty. I'm going to start applying in other locations and get some professional resume help.

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Sheppard47 t1_iye4v1g wrote

That is wonderful, for areas to look I can tell you the greater Boston area and RTP in NC seem to be nuts lately. I get recruiters with roles in that area regularly. If either of those interest you I think you have good odds.

Also, for entry level QC labs are always hiring. They also LOVE analytical chemists. Anyone who is good at plate based assays and some instrumentation.

QC can be soul sucking but a great way into industry.

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