Chemists and Materials Scientists

1. OVERVIEW

Chemists and materials scientists study substances at the atomic and molecular levels and analyze the ways in which substances interact. Their work contributes to innovations in pharmaceuticals, electronics, energy, food safety, and environmental science. They may develop new materials, improve processes, and support scientific advancements in both basic and applied research.

• 2024 Median Pay:

• Chemists: $84,150/year

• Materials Scientists: $104,160/year

• Job Growth (2023–2033): +8% (Faster than average)

• Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s or PhD for advanced research roles)

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

• Job Titles: Junior Chemist, Laboratory Technician, Research Assistant, Analytical Chemist I

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, or related field

• Experience: 0–2 years

• Certifications (Optional/Helpful):

• OSHA Laboratory Safety Training

• American Chemical Society (ACS) Student Affiliate

• Core Duties:

• Conduct standard lab tests and record results

• Prepare solutions, compounds, and reagents

• Maintain lab equipment and ensure proper calibration

• Assist senior researchers with data collection and sample analysis

• Salary Range: $53,000–$75,000

MID LEVEL

• Job Titles: Chemist II, Materials Scientist, Process Chemist, R&D Specialist

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

• Experience: 3–7 years

• Certifications (Recommended):

• Certified Chemist (via ACS)

• Project Management Professional (PMP) – for R&D teams

• Core Duties:

• Lead independent research projects

• Analyze and interpret complex data sets

• Develop and test new materials or chemical formulations

• Supervise lab technicians or junior chemists

• Collaborate across departments (engineering, QA, production)

• Salary Range: $75,000–$115,000

SENIOR LEVEL

• Job Titles: Senior Chemist, Principal Scientist, Materials Research Director, Natural Sciences Manager

• Education: PhD or Master’s + extensive experience

• Experience: 8–15+ years

• Certifications (Valued):

• Certified Research Chemist (CRC)

• Leadership training (Six Sigma, Lean, etc.)

• Core Duties:

• Lead high-level R&D programs and strategic initiatives

• Publish research findings and speak at industry conferences

• Manage multi-disciplinary teams and research budgets

• Direct regulatory compliance and safety protocols

• Guide patent filings and innovation pipeline

• Salary Range: $115,000–$170,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Materials Science

• Preferred: Advanced degrees (Master’s/PhD) for research and teaching roles

• Training: On-the-job lab training, internships, or apprenticeships

• Soft Skills: Analytical thinking, precision, time management, perseverance, collaboration

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills:

• Analytical chemistry and spectroscopy

• Materials synthesis and characterization

• Research design and reporting

• Advanced lab techniques (titration, chromatography, etc.)

• Data analysis and statistical modeling

Tools:

• Lab Equipment: Spectrophotometers, Mass Spectrometers, FTIR, HPLC

• Software: ChemDraw, MATLAB, OriginLab, LabWare LIMS

• Programming (for advanced research): Python, R, MATLAB

• Safety Gear: PPE, fume hoods, glove boxes

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Locations: Private R&D labs, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, universities, manufacturing facilities

• Schedules: Full-time, occasionally beyond 40 hours/week to meet research deadlines

• Environment: Cleanrooms or wet labs with strict safety protocols and potential chemical exposure

6. JOB OUTLOOK

• Demand Drivers:

• Innovation in pharmaceuticals, electronics, nanotechnology, and green chemistry

• Demand for sustainable materials and cleaner production processes

• Annual Openings: ~7,800 projected per year through 2033

• Growth Opportunity: Advancement into management, policy advising, or interdisciplinary fields like data science or biotech

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Role: Biochemists & Biophysicists | Salary: $103,650 | Education Level: Doctoral or professional

• Role: Chemical Engineers | Salary: $121,860 | Education Level: Bachelor's degree

• Role: Materials Engineers | Salary: $108,310 | Education Level: Bachelor's degree

• Role: Environmental Scientists | Salary: $80,060 | Education Level: Bachelor's degree

• Role: Chemical Technicians | Salary: $57,790 | Education Level: Associate’s degree

• Role: Forensic Science Technicians | Salary: $67,440 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

• Role: Natural Sciences Managers | Salary: $161,180 | Education Level: Bachelor's + experience

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Certifications & Courses:

• American Chemical Society (ACS)

• Materials Research Society (MRS)

• Coursera: “Chemistry,” “Materials Science,” “Analytical Techniques”

• edX: “Principles of Biochemistry,” “Green Chemistry,” “Nanotechnology”

Books:

• Chemistry: The Central Science by Brown, LeMay, and Bursten

• Materials Science and Engineering by William D. Callister

• Organic Chemistry as a Second Language by David Klein

Videos & Channels:

• YouTube: “Periodic Videos,” “CrashCourse Chemistry,” “LearnChemE”

• MIT OpenCourseWare: Free chemistry and materials lectures

Communities:

• Reddit: r/chemistry, r/MaterialsScience, r/labrats

• LinkedIn: “Chemists and Materials Scientists Network,” ACS Groups

• Slack/Discord: ACS or research group private servers

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

• BLS Profile: Chemists & Materials Scientists – BLS.gov

• Projections Central: Job outlook by state – www.projectionscentral.org

• CareerOneStop: Salary by ZIP code, skill match, demand by region

• USAJOBS.gov: Federal employment for chemists and materials scientists