Careers in Chemistry

Field of Chemistry

Exciting career opportunities

Holding a key position between mathematical and physical sciences on one side, and life sciences on the other, Chemistry offers many career opportunities.

Our graduates routinely find jobs in their chosen fields. Salaries of all chemists have been steadily increasing in recent years, according to American Chemical Society statistics.

Careers for Chemistry Majors

Some of the many career opportunities include:1 2

  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Biotech
  • Marine sciences
  • Microelectronics
  • Environmental sciences
  • Health sciences

Pharmacologist

National Avg Salary: $94,193/yr

Perform studies on new and existing drugs and other pharmaceuticals for their effect on humans and animals. They study the source and chemical makeup of drugs. They might be responsible for ensuring drugs are safe and adhere to rules and regulations.

Chemical Engineer

National Avg Salary: $92,978/yr

Use various methods of research including mathematics and biology to create and develop production processes related to chemicals. Aids in manufacturing products like pharmaceuticals, food, fuel and more.

Geochemist

National Avg Salary: $82,168/yr

Study the appearance, movement and effect of chemical compounds on the earth. This might involve the movement and distribution of compounds through water systems, the chemical makeup of minerals and more.

Organic Chemist

National Avg Salary: $68,263/yr

Research, manipulate and study materials that contain carbon. They might perform various scientific studies to identify or find applications for materials. Many different professions might employ organic chemistry like chemical engineers, veterinarians, pharmaceuticals and more.

Quality Control Chemist

National Avg Salary: $66,949/yr

Monitor and test the use of materials during the production process, ensuring all standards and protocols are met. Work in the pharmaceutical or manufacturing industries, and develop new products, testing methods, procedures, and processes.

Synthetic Chemist

National Avg Salary: $66,949/yr

Test and develop compounds and create new substances for a specific purpose. Work in a lab to develop materials for various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Food Chemist

National Avg Salary: $64,140/yr

Conduct research and analysis concerning the chemical properties of foods, in order to develop new or improve existing food and beverage products. The goal of many food chemists is to promote human or animal health by improving the quality, safety, nutritional value of food products and food product ingredients.

Analytical Chemist

National Avg Salary: $59,309/yr

Examine substances for toxicology studies, develop pharmaceuticals, explore forensic questions, and more. You may work for one organization or dive in to a specialty such as forensics or toxicology.

Chemical Technician

National Avg Salary: $21.71/hr

Ensure research chemists can perform studies and experiments in a lab. You may perform various research tasks, including monitoring equipment and using research techniques.

Analytical Chemist

National Avg Salary: $59,309/yr

Examine substances for toxicology studies, develop pharmaceuticals, explore forensic questions, and more. You may work for one organization or dive in to a specialty such as forensics or toxicology.

Forensics/Toxicology

National Avg Salary: $20.76/hr - $71,279/yr

Collect and analyze crime scene evidence, such as blood, dirt, and tissue samples, and fingerprints. Detect the presence of substances in the body or at the crime scene, such as pharmaceuticals, poison, alcohol, etc. Report findings and present evidence and testimony in legal cases.

Chemistry Teacher (High School Level)

National Avg Salary: $26.18/hr

Develop curricula and present material to students in the form of lectures, projects, activities, and more. Ensure students retain a thorough and practical knowledge of chemistry by monitoring and assessing student work.

Chemistry Teacher (College Level)

National Median Salary: $78,400/yr

Prepare course materials and teaching courses to undergraduate and graduate students of degree-granting institutions. Teach courses in lecture, seminar, laboratory or field study formats. University professors may also conduct research related to their field of expertise.

Chemical Engineer

National Avg Salary: $92,978/yr

Use various methods of research including mathematics and biology to create and develop production processes related to chemicals. Aids in manufacturing products like pharmaceuticals, food, fuel and more.

Oceanographer

National Avg Salary: $83,705/yr

Research marine ecosystems. Perform scientific studies on topics like seafloor geology, ocean life, water compounds, circulation and more.

Geochemist

National Avg Salary: $82,168/yr

Study the appearance, movement and effect of chemical compounds on the earth. This might involve the movement and distribution of compounds through water systems, the chemical makeup of minerals and more.

Hazardous Waste Chemist

National Avg Salary: $69,201/yr

Monitor and manage chemical pollutants in the air and water. You might work for entities with large production and manufacturing operations to ensure processes adhere to rules and regulations. You might also work to develop plans for better, more efficient ways for organizations to manage hazardous waste.

Organic Chemist

National Avg Salary: $68,263/yr

Research, manipulate and study materials that contain carbon. They might perform various scientific studies to identify or find applications for materials. Many different professions might employ organic chemistry like chemical engineers, veterinarians, pharmaceuticals and more.

Quality Control Chemist

National Avg Salary: $66,949/yr

Monitor and test the use of materials during the production process, ensuring all standards and protocols are met. Work in the pharmaceutical or manufacturing industries, and develop new products, testing methods, procedures, and processes.

Synthetic Chemist

National Avg Salary: $66,949/yr

Test and develop compounds and create new substances for a specific purpose. Work in a lab to develop materials for various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Food Chemist

National Avg Salary: $64,140/yr

Conduct research and analysis concerning the chemical properties of foods, in order to develop new or improve existing food and beverage products. The goal of many food chemists is to promote human or animal health by improving the quality, safety, nutritional value of food products and food product ingredients.

Analytical Chemist

National Avg Salary: $59,309/yr

Examine substances for toxicology studies, develop pharmaceuticals, explore forensic questions, and more. You may work for one organization or dive in to a specialty such as forensics or toxicology.

Agricultural Chemist

National Mean Salary: $54,450/yr

Conduct research that covers many fields of inquiry and assists in the development of agricultural products, such as the development of molecules or chemical compounds that control a weed or other pest. Test compounds in order to determine the impact of included chemicals on the environment and in food.

Water Chemist

National Avg Salary: $29.08/hr

Detect and monitor chemical levels in water. This may include verifying the safety of water purification processes, collecting and analyzing water from various sources, and using findings to inform the creation and enforcement of various rules, regulations, and policies.

Chemical Technician

National Avg Salary: $21.71/hr

Ensure research chemists can perform studies and experiments in a lab. You may perform various research tasks, including monitoring equipment and using research techniques.

Pharmacologist

National Avg Salary: $94,193/yr

Perform studies on new and existing drugs and other pharmaceuticals for their effect on humans and animals. They study the source and chemical makeup of drugs. They might be responsible for ensuring drugs are safe and adhere to rules and regulations.

Organic Chemist

National Avg Salary: $68,263/yr

Research, manipulate and study materials that contain carbon. They might perform various scientific studies to identify or find applications for materials. Many different professions might employ organic chemistry like chemical engineers, veterinarians, pharmaceuticals and more.

Quality Control Chemist

National Avg Salary: $66,949/yr

Monitor and test the use of materials during the production process, ensuring all standards and protocols are met. Work in the pharmaceutical or manufacturing industries, and develop new products, testing methods, procedures, and processes.

Synthetic Chemist

National Avg Salary: $66,949/yr

Test and develop compounds and create new substances for a specific purpose. Work in a lab to develop materials for various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Food Chemist

National Avg Salary: $64,140/yr

Conduct research and analysis concerning the chemical properties of foods, in order to develop new or improve existing food and beverage products. The goal of many food chemists is to promote human or animal health by improving the quality, safety, nutritional value of food products and food product ingredients.

Agricultural Chemist

National Mean Salary: $54,450/yr

Conduct research that covers many fields of inquiry and assists in the development of agricultural products, such as the development of molecules or chemical compounds that control a weed or other pest. Test compounds in order to determine the impact of included chemicals on the environment and in food.

Water Chemist

National Avg Salary: $29.08/hr

Detect and monitor chemical levels in water. This may include verifying the safety of water purification processes, collecting and analyzing water from various sources, and using findings to inform the creation and enforcement of various rules, regulations, and policies.