# Chemists

> Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemists
- SOC code: 19-2031.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $91,240 (10th percentile $58,460, 90th percentile $160,830)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.4%
- Openings a year: 5,900
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 78 |
| Investigative (I) | 95 |
| Artistic (A) | 9 |
| Social (S) | 2 |
| Enterprising (E) | 10 |
| Conventional (C) | 63 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 85/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 80/100)
- Getting Information (importance 78/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 77/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 77/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 76/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 74/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 73/100)
- Processing Information (importance 72/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 71/100)

## Skills

Science, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening, Mathematics, Writing, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Monitoring

## Knowledge

Chemistry, English Language, Mathematics, Production and Processing, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Administrative, Physics, Engineering and Technology, Mechanical

## Also called

Agricultural Chemist, Air Quality Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Analytical Scientist, Assay Development Scientist, Astrochemist, Bench Chemist, Bench Scientist, Ceramic Chemist, Cereal Chemist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Chemistry](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4005) (CIP 4005, 1,371 colleges)
- [Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5120) (CIP 5120, 175 colleges)
- [Materials Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4010) (CIP 4010, 69 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $142,985 | $21,908 |
| [Long Island University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/long-island-university-1520) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $136,840 | not reported |
| [University of Louisiana at Monroe](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-louisiana-at-monroe-2935) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $134,329 | $13,980 |
| [University of Hawaii at Hilo](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-hawaii-at-hilo-2914) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $80,004 | $131,134 | not reported |
| [Western New England University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-new-england-university-3234) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $129,138 | $19,500 |
| [University of Kansas](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-kansas-2931) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $125,384 | $12,577 |
| [North Dakota State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus-1896) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $125,175 | $13,000 |
| [Saint Joseph's University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/saint-joseph-s-university-2308) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $60,086 | $122,633 | $26,500 |

## Related careers

- [Chemical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-engineers): $125,040 median pay
- [Biochemists and Biophysicists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biochemists-and-biophysicists): $127,410 median pay
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Microbiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microbiologists): $87,990 median pay
- [Materials Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/materials-scientists): $117,790 median pay
- [Materials Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/materials-engineers): $112,860 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.