What Does a Chemist Do?

A chemist searches for new knowledge about chemicals and uses it to improve the way we live. He or she may develop products such as synthetic fibers, drugs, and cosmetics. Chemists create processes, including oil refining and petrochemical processing, that reduce energy use and pollution.

They specialize in areas such as analytical, organic, inorganic, physical and theoretical, macromolecular, medical, and materials chemistry.

Chemist Duties & Responsibilities

This job requires candidates to be able to perform duties that include the following:

• Perform complex research projects, such as developing new products and testing new methods
• Provide instruction on proper chemical testing and processing procedures including mixing times, operating temperatures, and ingredients
• Prepare compounds, reagents, and solutions used in laboratory procedures
• Analyze various substances to find their composition
• Test substances and materials for chemical safety
• Write technical reports to describe their methods and findings
• Present their findings to engineers, scientists, and other colleagues

Chemists often work as part of a research team,so they must possess the ability to work with others toward a common outcome. Chemists often have a specialty, such as a forensic chemist, organic chemist, physical chemist or medicinal chemist.

Chemist Salary

A chemist's salary varies based on the level of education, experience, geographical location, and other factors.

• Median Annual Salary: $74,470 ($35.93/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $130,560 ($62.77/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $42,960 ($20.65/hour)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017

Education, Training & Certification 

A chemist job requires at least a four-year college degree, although there are benefits to pursuing higher levels of education.

• College degree: If you want to be a chemist, you will need to earn at least, a bachelor's degree in chemistry. However, most research jobs require a master's degree or, more likely, a Ph.D.
• Internships: While not mandatory, an internship, work-study program or fellowship can help students gain experience while completing their degree, to help make them better job candidates.
• Experience: With experience and advanced education in the form of a doctorate, chemists can become lead researchers. Additional experience can mean assignments that include working on bigger and more complex projects.

Chemist Skills & Competencies

In addition to formal education, certain soft skills, or personal qualities with which you were either born or acquired through life experience, will contribute to your success in this occupation. They are:

• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills: Your work as a chemist will identify problems and come up with possible solutions to them. Before implementing those fixes, you will have to evaluate each one and then predict which one will be the most effective.
• Speaking, Listening, and Interpersonal Skills: Since your job is likely to involve working on a team, the ability to communicate with others is essential.
• Time Management Skills: Excellent time management skills will allow you to meet deadlines.
• Analytical Skills: Chemists, like other scientists, must analyze a lot of data
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills will be needed to keep track of your data, and carefully document all processes and results.

Job Outlook 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth outlook for chemists and materials scientists over the next decade relative to other occupations and industries is the same as the average for all occupations, driven by a continuing need for chemists to work on developing medical nanotechnology.

Employment for chemists is expected to grow by about 6 percent over the next ten years, which is slightly slower than the average growth projected for all occupations between 2016 and 2026. Growth for material scientists is projected to be 7 percent over the next ten years, while physical scientist jobs are projected to see a 10 percent increase over the next decade.

These growth rates compare to the projected 7 percent growth for all occupations. Lab experience outside of a classroom, such as with an internship, can help improve job prospects for new chemistry graduates. Advanced degrees and work experience, especially with green chemistry, can increase your prospects, and jobs will continue to be available due to the need to replace chemists leaving the occupation.

Work Environment 

They primarily have jobs in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and testing laboratories also employ chemists. Some work for the federal government, as well as state and local governments. Their workplaces are labs and offices, where they are often part of research teams.

Work Schedule 

Chemists usually work regular, full-time hours. They may occasionally need to work longer hours to meet project deadlines, or perform time-sensitive work after hours.

Comparing Similar Jobs 

People interested in becoming a chemist also consider the following career paths, listed with their median annual salaries:

• Biochemist: $91,190
• Chemical engineer: $102,160
• Geoscientist: $89,850

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017