Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Chemists
SOC: 19-2031 O*NET: 19-2031.00
Median Salary
$84,150
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.9%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
What does a Chemists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$53,210
10th percentile
Early Career
$63,930
25th percentile
Median
$84,150
50th percentile
Experienced
$120,210
75th percentile
Top Earners
$154,430
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$53,210
25th
$63,930
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$84,150
Mean: $95,940
75th
$120,210
90th
$154,430
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $101,220 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $63,930 and $120,210
- •Salary spread is 66.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 83,250 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:86,800
Top Industries
Manufacturing38.2%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33.3%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.9%
Annual Openings:6,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)86,800
Current
2034 (Projected)91,000
+4.9%
+4,300
Employment Change
+4.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Chemists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Pennsylvania
9,070 jobs$63,4502.79x
California
8,480 jobs$97,0100.87x
New Jersey
6,210 jobs$85,0102.71x
Texas
5,490 jobs$101,2600.73x
North Carolina
5,140 jobs$78,4001.94x
New York
4,040 jobs$83,6900.78x
Ohio
4,020 jobs$80,3601.35x
Massachusetts
3,340 jobs$126,9701.70x
Illinois
3,250 jobs$97,1700.99x
Michigan
3,200 jobs$81,4101.35x
Maryland
3,000 jobs$131,9102.02x
Indiana
2,070 jobs$75,8801.20x
Wisconsin
1,990 jobs$75,0201.26x
Colorado
1,820 jobs$97,3801.16x
Washington
1,780 jobs$92,8600.93x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Science
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Mathematics
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Science
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Mathematics
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Science
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Biological Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Statisticians82%
5 shared skills
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Mathematics
- →Writing
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Science
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Science
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Chemists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechC
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechOracle Java
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visio
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
C
Microsoft Visual Basic
Extensible markup language XML
SAP software
C++
Oracle Java
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
12
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (4)Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)
1
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation88% perform92%
6
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Conduct quality control tests.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •58% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Chemists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Chemists professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Chemists
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.58
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.41
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.37
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.35
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.30
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.15
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Independence
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Persistence
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Initiative
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Chemists.
Browse Training Programs →