Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Chemists
Chemists conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Table of contents
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
Is this job meaningful
58% said they were satisfied with their job and 50% said they found their job meaningful.
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Materials Chemistry
Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics
Theoretical Chemistry
Forensic Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Chemical Physics
Polymer Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Chemistry
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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