Chemists
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Also called: Air Quality Chemist · Analytical Chemist · Chemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist) · Chemist · Forensic Chemist · Product Development Chemist
Median pay (national)
$84,150
$53,210–$154,430 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
83,250
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.9%
~6,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for chemists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $154,430 versus $53,210 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $84,150 leaves roughly 84% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.9% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 6,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $153,320, +82% vs the national median), while Maine sits lowest at $58,750 — a 161% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Science, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
Tailor your resume to Chemists
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Chemists
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
- Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
- Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
- Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
- Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.
- Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
- Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
- Conduct quality control tests.
- Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
- Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- C
- C++
- Extensible markup language XML
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Oracle Java
- R
- SAP software
- Structured query language SQL
- Accelrys Cerius2
- Accelrys DeCipher
- Advanced Chemistry Development ACD/1D nuclear magnetic resonance NMR processor
Knowledge areas
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Physics