Chemist

What does a chemist do?

• Plan and carry out experiments to make, analyse or improve substances.
• Use instruments such as spectrometers and chromatographs to identify and measure chemicals.
• Test raw materials and finished products to check quality and safety.
• Develop new compounds, materials or product formulations.
• Record results accurately and write reports that meet quality standards.
• Follow strict safety rules when handling hazardous substances.
• Work with engineers to scale up processes from the laboratory to production.

Where do they work?

Chemists work for pharmaceutical and chemical companies, contract testing laboratories, food and drink manufacturers, energy and materials firms, government agencies, forensic services and universities. The work is mainly in laboratories, using protective equipment and specialist instruments, with time at a computer analysing data and writing reports. Hours are usually regular, although some quality control and production roles involve shift work. Laboratories in regulated industries follow detailed quality systems.

What skills do you need?

• Laboratory and analytical techniques
• Operating scientific instruments
• Experimental design
• Data analysis and statistics
• Laboratory health and safety
• Accurate record keeping
• Problem solving
• Scientific writing

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• use chemical analysis equipment
• calibrate laboratory equipment
• use chromatography software
• run laboratory simulations
• write technical reports
• apply liquid chromatography
• apply scientific methods
• use personal protection equipment
• think analytically
• analyse chemical substances
• apply safety procedures in laboratory
• develop chemical products

Essential knowledge: physics · analytical chemistry · inorganic chemistry · scientific research methodology · laboratory techniques

How do you become a chemist?

The usual route is a bachelor's degree in chemistry, which takes three or four years, or an integrated master's in some countries. Employers value programmes accredited by a professional chemistry body. A bachelor's can lead to laboratory technician or analyst roles, while research and development jobs usually need a master's or PhD. Laboratory placements, summer research projects and industrial internships make a real difference. Graduates in related subjects such as biochemistry, pharmacy or chemical engineering can move into chemistry roles, and laboratory technicians can progress through part-time study.

1. Chemistry degree. A chemistry degree covers organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry, with a large amount of laboratory work. Accreditation by a professional chemistry body can help with jobs and professional recognition. Many programmes offer a year in industry or a research project, which gives useful experience for work in industry or for further study.
2. Postgraduate research. A master's or PhD lets you specialise in areas such as medicinal, materials, environmental or computational chemistry. A PhD is usually needed for independent research roles in universities and in many industrial research teams. It also develops project management and problem-solving skills that employers value.
3. Technician or apprenticeship route. In some countries, including Germany and the UK, you can train as a laboratory technician through an apprenticeship or vocational programme. Some schemes lead to a degree while you work. With experience and further study, technicians can move into chemist or analyst roles.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Chemistry

  A chemistry degree teaches how substances are built, how they react and how to make and analyse new materials, through theory and a lot of laboratory work.

  6 linked careers

• Chemical engineering

  A chemical engineering degree teaches how to turn raw materials into useful products on a large scale, safely and efficiently, using chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology.

  4 linked careers

• Pharmacy

  A pharmacy degree teaches how medicines are discovered, made and used, and how to make sure patients use them safely and effectively.

  3 linked careers

• Biomedical science

  A biomedical science degree teaches the biology of human health and disease, and how laboratory tests help doctors diagnose and treat patients.

  6 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as a chemist?

Chemistry is not a regulated profession in most countries, so you do not need a licence to work as a chemist. A few countries, such as the Philippines, require chemists to pass a licensing exam. Voluntary professional status, such as Chartered Chemist in the UK, can support your career. Laboratories in regulated industries must follow quality standards such as good laboratory practice (GLP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP), and handling some chemicals requires special permits.

How much does a chemist earn?

Pay in the United States

• $91,240Median annual wage, May 2025
• $58,460–$160,830Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 82.8KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 19-2031, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes chemist and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Laboratory technician or assistant chemist
2. Chemist or analyst
3. Senior chemist
4. Principal scientist or laboratory manager
5. Head of research and development

Job outlook

Chemists are needed in pharmaceuticals, materials, energy storage, semiconductors, food, agriculture and environmental testing, which spreads demand across the economy. Growth areas include battery materials, more sustainable chemicals and recycling. Traditional chemical manufacturing can be affected by energy costs and by production moving between countries. Laboratory automation and AI are taking over some routine testing, so chemists with skills in data analysis, instrument methods and problem solving are likely to be most in demand.

Questions about becoming a chemist

What jobs can you get with a chemistry degree?

Common jobs include analytical chemist, research chemist, quality control analyst, formulation scientist, forensic scientist and laboratory manager. With further study, chemistry graduates can also become chemical engineers or pharmacists. Others work as food scientists, patent attorneys, science teachers and data analysts. The degree's problem-solving and numerical skills are valued outside science too.

Is a chemist the same as a pharmacist?

No. In British English, a pharmacy shop is often called a chemist, which causes confusion. A pharmacist is a regulated healthcare professional who needs a pharmacy degree and a licence to prepare and supply medicines. A chemist is a scientist who studies and works with chemicals, usually in a laboratory, and does not need a licence in most countries.

Do chemists need a PhD?

Not for every job. A bachelor's or master's is enough for many roles in quality control, analysis, testing and manufacturing support. A PhD is usually expected for independent research in universities and for many research and development roles in industry. It can also lead to faster progress into senior scientific positions.

Is chemistry a good career?

Chemistry offers varied work across many industries, from medicines to clean energy, and the skills are useful worldwide. However, entry-level laboratory jobs can be competitive and repetitive, and some industries rise and fall with the economy. Many chemists progress by specialising, moving into management or regulatory work, or adding skills in data analysis and programming.

Related careers

• Chemical engineer

  Chemical engineers design and run the processes that turn raw materials into useful products such as fuels, medicines, plastics, food, fertilisers and clean water.

  Degree required

• Pharmacist

  Pharmacists are medicines experts who check and supply prescriptions, advise patients and other health professionals on using medicines safely, and in many countries give vaccinations or prescribe.

  Degree required · Licensed

• Food scientist

  Food scientists study the chemistry, biology and physics of food and use that knowledge to develop new products, improve recipes, and keep food safe, nutritious and long-lasting.

  Degree required

• Biomedical scientist

  Biomedical scientists test samples of blood, tissue and body fluids in laboratories to help doctors diagnose and monitor disease, and they check that blood for transfusion is safe.

  Degree usually needed

Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 19-2031, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2113.1

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a chemist: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/chemist/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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