The median pay for Chemists is $91,240 a year ($43.87/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 6.4% through 2035, with about 5,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-2031
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Chemist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $91,240a year, or $43.87/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $58KTop 10% $161K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.4%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,90084,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202584.9K
- Projected 203590.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 84.9K Projected 2035 90.3K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's55.9%
- Post-bacc certificate4.2%
- Master's9.9%
- Doctorate30%
Highest education held by chemists Segment Value Bachelor's 55.9% Post-bacc certificate 4.2% Master's 9.9% Doctorate 30%
Also advertised as: Air Quality Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Chemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist), Chemist, Forensic Chemist, Product Development Chemist.
Pay
How much do Chemists make?
Every chemist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$91,240
Middle half earn $69,460 to $125,550
- 10th
- $58,460
- 25th
- $69,460
- 75th
- $125,550
- 90th
- $160,830
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $58,460 |
| 25th | $69,460 |
| Median | $91,240 |
| 75th | $125,550 |
| 90th | $160,830 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $91,240
- Median hourly wage
- $43.87/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $100,450
- People employed
- 82,770
Versus all US occupations
At $91,240, Chemists earn 79% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $40,260 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 11% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $160,830 or more while the bottom 10% earn $58,460, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 67% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($149,860), but once local prices are taken into account New Mexico leads at $137,683 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Chemists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $149,860 | $136,359 | 280 |
| 2Maryland | $140,670 | $134,024 | 2,480 |
| 3Delaware | $129,860 | $130,110 | 1,200 |
| 4New Mexico | $126,960 | $137,683 | 280 |
| 5Massachusetts | $125,000 | $118,195 | 3,430 |
| 6Alaska | $106,010 | $103,567 | 60 |
| 7Oregon | $104,590 | $101,189 | 730 |
| 8Louisiana | $103,890 | $117,780 | 740 |
| 9Wyoming | $102,000 | $110,043 | 80 |
| 10Colorado | $101,980 | $98,960 | 1,790 |
Job outlook
Is Chemist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemists | +6.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Chemists to change 6.4% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 5,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,900 openings are projected each year, 6.9% of the 84,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for chemists and materials scientists is expected to stem from innovations in a variety of research areas, including nanotechnology and biomaterials.
Chemists will be needed to develop improved products and processes, such as new medicines and methods for ensuring food safety. Materials scientists will be needed to research and develop affordable, safe, high-quality materials for electronics, energy, transportation, and other uses.
Getting in
How to become a Chemist
To enter the occupation, chemists and materials scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field. However, they may need a master’s degree or Ph.D. for some jobs, such as research positions.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as chemists.
- Bachelor's Degree55.9%
- Doctoral Degree30%
- Master's Degree9.9%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate4.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 55.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 30% |
| Master's Degree | 9.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Chemist do?
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Chemists and materials scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge.
Day-to-day tasks
- Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
- Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
- 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.
- Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
- Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
- Conduct quality control tests.
- Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most chemists and materials scientists work full time. Occasionally, they may have to work additional hours to meet project deadlines or perform time-sensitive laboratory experiments during off-hours.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where chemists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Chemical manufacturing33%
- Scientific research and development services16%
- Testing laboratories and services11%
- Federal government, excluding postal service6%
- State and local government, excluding education and hospitals6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical manufacturing | 33% |
| Scientific research and development services | 16% |
| Testing laboratories and services | 11% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 6% |
| State and local government, excluding education and hospitals | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Science4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Speaking3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Writing3.8
- Mathematics3.8
- Active Learning3.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Science | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Quality Control Analysis3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Chemist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Chemist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.7
- Realistic5.7
- Conventional4.8
- Enterprising1.6
- Artistic1.5
- Social1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Chemist
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
$62,930median a year
Most earn $39K to $101K
+2.7%Bachelor's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Architecture and Engineering
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with chemists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$90,150
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within chemist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Questions
Chemist: frequently asked questions
How much do Chemists make?
Chemists earn a median of $91,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 79% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $43.87/hr. The middle half earn between $69,460 and $125,550. The top 10% earn $160,830 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Chemist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Chemists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 55.9% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Chemist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.4% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Chemist do?
Chemists and materials scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge. A core O*NET task: maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Development environment software, Enterprise application integration software.
Which states pay Chemists the most?
The highest state medians for Chemists are District of Columbia ($149,860), Maryland ($140,670), Delaware ($129,860) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, New Mexico moves to the top at $137,683.
What personality type suits a Chemist?
O*NET scores Chemists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.