What Does A Chemist Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Chemists

Chemists conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

Salary
$86410
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Chemists conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

  • Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
  • Conduct quality control tests.
  • Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure the proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
  • Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Chemists maintain laboratory instruments to ensure the proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed. They analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.

A typical day for a Chemist will also include:

  • Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.
  • Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
  • Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
  • Conduct quality control tests.
  • Induce changes in the composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Chemists also purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date. They may also develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Chemists confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests. They might also prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.

In addition, they evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.

To some Chemists, it is also their responsibility to study the effects of various methods of processing, preserving, or packaging on the composition or properties of foods.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Average

58% said they were satisfied with their job and 50% said they found their job meaningful.


Freelance Formulations

I am the owner of my company, Founder and Head Cosmetic Chemist of Freelance Formulations. I work with brands to formulate new cosmetic products before mass production. Much of my day is spent discussing projects with clients and employees, as well as researching and sourcing ingredients and chemicals for cosmetics. Pros I love everything about … Read More


As a chemist, utilizing the knowledge that we have developed helps transform tangible materials into real world applications. As a practicing chemist in higher education in pursuit of a doctorate degree, my work is split into 3 major categories: research, teaching, and contribution to the chemistry field. Research in my field of inorganic chemistry is … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

How much do they make

Average salary

$86410 per year

Average hourly wage

$42 per hour

Entry-level Chemists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $44,970 to $58,070 per year or $22 to $28 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $139,650 $67
Senior (Top 25%) $108,390 $52
Median $79,300 $38
Junior (Bottom 25%) $58,070 $28
No experience (Bottom 10%) $44,970 $22

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Chemists based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Federal Executive Branch $120510 $57.94
Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers $110710 $53.22
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods $103810 $49.91
Support Activities for Mining $103010 $49.53
Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers $101490 $48.79
Oil and Gas Extraction $100920 $48.52
Management of Companies and Enterprises $100220 $48.19
Scientific Research and Development Services $99720 $47.94
Other Pipeline Transportation $98520 $47.36
Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers $98050 $47.14

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Chemists work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Chemists including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing 14860 $81250 $39.06
Scientific Research and Development Services 11900 $99720 $47.94
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 9910 $67050 $32.24
Chemical Manufacturing 8350 $91480 $43.98
Federal Executive Branch 5580 $120510 $57.94
Chemical Manufacturing 4610 $81920 $39.39
Management of Companies and Enterprises 3020 $100220 $48.19
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 2850 $64980 $31.24
Local Government 2720 $76590 $36.82
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 2710 $90610 $43.56

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
5%

40 hours
56%

More than 40 hours
39%

Working schedule

81%

19%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
10%

Every day
90%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
35%

Every day
43%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
23%

Every day
73%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
31%

Once a year
43%

Once a month
19%

Once a week
3%

Every day
3%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
17%

Slightly competitive
34%

Moderately competitive
31%

Highly competitive
16%

Extremely competitive
3%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
0%

Once a year or more
1%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
93%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
44%

Once a year or more
20%

Once a month or more
21%

Once a week or more
7%

Every day
8%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
50%

Once a year or more
41%

Once a month or more
4%

Once a week or more
5%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
59%

Once a year or more
28%

Once a month or more
13%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
0%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
4%

Bachelor’s Degree
86%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
2%

Master’s Degree
7%

Post-Master’s Certificate
1%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
1%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

A program that focuses on the application of chemistry to the study of biologically and clinically active substances, biological and pharmacological interactions, and the development of associated research methods, techniques, and clinical trial procedures. Includes instruction in organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular graphics, rational drug design, toxicology, molecular biology, pharmacology, enzyme mechanisms, receptor theory, neurochemistry, drug metabolism, drug synthesis, biological mechanisms of drug action, research tools and techniques, and laboratory safety.

Materials Chemistry

A program that focuses on the synthesis and study of organic or inorganic materials and their electronic, magnetic, optical or mechanical properties. Includes instruction in advanced materials for photonics, lasers, chemical sensors and arrays or nanochemistry; semiconductor nanowires; and molecular electronics.


Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics

A program that focuses on applying computer science approaches in the representation, analysis, design, and modeling of chemical structures and associated metadata, such as biological activity endpoints and physicochemical properties. Includes instruction in chemical information technology, computational chemistry, computer science, database design, molecular modeling, scientific computing, and statistics.

Theoretical Chemistry

A program that focuses on the study of mathematical and computational methods and fundamental laws of physics to describe chemical phenomena and to develop empirical models of molecules and their interactions. Includes instruction in properties of small, isolated molecules; dynamics of elementary chemical processes; reaction pathways of organic molecules; hydrogen bonding patterns in liquids; reaction rates of biological pathways; and advanced computational techniques.

Forensic Chemistry

A program that focuses on the application of chemical techniques and instrumentation to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence to aid in criminal investigations. Includes instruction in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry; biochemistry; forensic toxicology; instrumental analysis; crime scene processing; criminal investigation; forensic laboratory technology; and applicable law.


Environmental Chemistry

A program that focuses on the scientific study of natural systems (air, water, and soil) through the use of chemical techniques and instrumentation, with an emphasis on the movement and fate of pollutants and chemical aspects of contaminant remediation. Includes instruction in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry; aquatic, soil, and atmospheric chemistry; environmental engineering; environmental toxicology; and analytical methods.

Chemical Physics

A program that focuses on the scientific study of structural phenomena combining the disciplines of physical chemistry and atomic/molecular physics. Includes instruction in heterogeneous structures, alignment and surface phenomena, quantum theory, mathematical physics, statistical and classical mechanics, chemical kinetics, and laser physics.

Polymer Chemistry

A program that focuses on the scientific study of synthesized macromolecules and their interactions with other substances. Includes instruction in molecular bonding theory, polymerization, properties and behavior of unstable compounds, the development of tailored polymers, transition phenomena, and applications to specific industrial problems and technologies.


Physical Chemistry

A program that focuses on the scientific study of understanding and predicting the behavior of chemical systems ranging from nuclear particles to atoms, molecules, clusters, biological materials and macroscopic assemblies. Includes instruction in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, reaction dynamics, group theory, collision theory, and polymer science.

Organic Chemistry

A program that focuses on the scientific study of the properties and behavior of hydrocarbon compounds and their derivatives. Includes instruction in molecular conversion and synthesis, molecular synthesis and design, the molecular structure of living cells and systems, the mutual reactivity of organic and inorganic compounds in combination, the spectroscopic analysis of hydrocarbon compounds, and applications to specific problems in research, industry, and health.

Inorganic Chemistry

A program that focuses on the scientific study of the elements and their compounds, other than the hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Includes instruction in the characterization and synthesis of non-carbon molecules, including their structure and their bonding, conductivity, and reactive properties; research techniques such as spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoelectron analysis; and the study of specific compounds, such as transition metals, and compounds composed of inorganic and organic molecules.


Analytical Chemistry

A program that focuses on the scientific study of techniques for analyzing and describing matter, including its precise composition and the interrelationships of constituent elements and compounds. Includes instruction in spectroscopy, chromatography, atomic absorption, photometry, chemical modeling, mathematical analysis, laboratory analysis procedures and equipment maintenance, and applications to specific research, industrial and health problems.

Chemistry

A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of matter, including its micro- and macro-structure, the processes of chemical change, and the theoretical description and laboratory simulation of these phenomena.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
33%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
3%

6 months to 1 year
15%

1 to 2 years
17%

2 to 4 years
7%

4 to 6 years
11%

6 to 8 years
8%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
6%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
1%

1 month
12%

1 to 3 months
30%

3 to 6 months
15%

6 months to 1 year
22%

1 to 2 years
14%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
6%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Thinker

People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.

The Builder
57%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
100%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
29%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
29%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
48%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
81%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
74%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
71%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
43%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
67%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
76%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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