What Does a Chemist Do?
Chemists work in laboratories figuring out what substances are made of, how they behave and how to make them better. In industry, that might mean developing a coating formula, validating a test method for a drug, or running quality control on incoming raw materials. In government and environmental labs, it often means testing water, soil or air samples. A large share of the work is instrument time on chromatographs, spectrometers and titrators, followed by data review and written reports. Senior chemists design studies and supervise technicians.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Air Quality Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Chemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist), Forensic Chemist, Product Development Chemist, QC Chemist (Quality Control Chemist), R and D Chemist (Research and Development Chemist), Research Chemist.
Chemist Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a chemist include:
- Prepare samples, standards, reagents and test solutions following written methods.
- Run analyses using chromatography, spectroscopy, titration and wet chemistry to identify and quantify components.
- Develop new formulations or synthesis routes and test how changes in temperature, catalyst or concentration affect yield and purity.
- Perform quality control testing on raw materials, in-process samples and finished products against specifications.
- Calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot instruments such as atomic absorption spectrometers, autotitrators and analytical balances.
- Record work in laboratory notebooks or electronic systems with enough detail that another chemist could reproduce it.
- Analyze data in Microsoft Excel or R, investigate out-of-specification results, and write reports and standard operating procedures.
- Review chemical hygiene and waste disposal practices and correct unsafe handling in the lab.
- Talk through results with engineers, formulators and production staff to solve process problems.
- Order chemicals and supplies and rotate stock before expiration dates.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a chemist, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Hands-on experience with HPLC, GC, mass spectrometry, FTIR or atomic absorption instruments and their data software
- Method development and validation, including accuracy, precision and detection limits
- Careful bench technique: pipetting, weighing on analytical balances and avoiding contamination
- Data analysis in Microsoft Excel or R, with enough statistics to judge replicate results
- Familiarity with good laboratory and manufacturing practice in regulated labs
- Safe handling of hazardous chemicals, safety data sheets and lab waste rules
- Clear technical writing for reports, methods and specifications
- Explaining an unexpected result to production managers who want a yes or no answer
Education and Training
A bachelor's degree in chemistry or biochemistry is the entry point, and about 56 percent of chemists report one as their highest degree. Undergraduate programs cover analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry with substantial lab time, and internships or undergraduate research make a big difference in hiring. Roughly 30 percent of chemists hold a doctorate, which is typical for leading independent research or for academic jobs. Master's degrees fit specialized industry roles. No license is required, and new hires usually spend their first months learning the employer's methods, instruments and quality procedures.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $69,460 - $125,550 per year, with a median of $91,240.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Chemists.
Employment for Chemists is projected to grow at a steady rate, with the strongest opportunities in pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, and environmental science. The development of new drugs, sustainable materials, and clean energy technologies drives demand for chemical expertise. Industrial chemistry roles in manufacturing, quality control, and product development provide stable career paths. Chemists who combine their scientific knowledge with skills in data science, computational chemistry, or regulatory affairs expand their career options significantly. The growing focus on green chemistry and sustainable processes is creating new specializations within the field.
Chemist Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $58,460 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $69,460 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $91,240 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $125,550 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $160,830 |
Highest-Paying States for Chemists
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are District of Columbia ($149,860), Maryland ($140,670), Delaware ($129,860), New Mexico ($126,960), Massachusetts ($125,000). Pay is lowest in South Dakota ($67,440), Maine ($64,440), Montana ($61,890).
Median pay in all 51 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $97,830 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Arizona | $81,730 |
| Arkansas | $75,570 |
| California | $97,860 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
| Connecticut | $98,140 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Florida | $82,740 |
| Georgia | $92,750 |
| Hawaii | $84,150 |
| Idaho | $78,000 |
| Illinois | $85,230 |
| Indiana | $78,770 |
| Iowa | $86,100 |
| Kansas | $82,820 |
| Kentucky | $84,090 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Maine | $64,440 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Michigan | $97,440 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 |
| Mississippi | $80,060 |
| Missouri | $82,800 |
| Montana | $61,890 |
| Nebraska | $74,890 |
| Nevada | $81,170 |
| New Hampshire | $100,050 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| New York | $90,600 |
| North Carolina | $82,620 |
| North Dakota | $97,330 |
| Ohio | $85,270 |
| Oklahoma | $74,960 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,090 |
| Rhode Island | $101,660 |
| South Carolina | $79,670 |
| South Dakota | $67,440 |
| Tennessee | $87,930 |
| Texas | $99,640 |
| Utah | $80,770 |
| Vermont | $86,120 |
| Virginia | $96,650 |
| Washington | $97,420 |
| West Virginia | $85,560 |
| Wisconsin | $78,730 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as chemists about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 97% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 95% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 92% use email every day
- 80% wear safety gear such as gloves, safety glasses or a hard hat every day
- 58% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 44% have a lot of freedom to make decisions
- 40% are on the phone every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 56% |
| Doctoral degree | 30% |
| Master's degree | 10% |
Tools and Software Chemists Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy analyzing problems and working with ideas as well as hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Science, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Active Listening, Writing.
Knowledge areas used most: Chemistry, English Language, Mathematics, Production and Processing, Administration and Management.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Chemist Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 19-2031.00 (Chemists). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.