Chemist

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Work Tasks

• Work with chemicals to make new paints, drugs, and many other products
• Find ways to save energy and reduce pollution
• Look at the chemistry of living things to make new medicines and to make food better
• Do tests to make sure new chemicals are safe and do what they are meant to do
• Work indoors in labs or outdoors for chemical companies, the government, healthcare places, and colleges
• Use lab instruments, testing tools, chemicals and chemical formulas, records, reports, and instructions

Salary, Size & Growth

• $70,500 average per year ($34.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (80,200 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in chemistry
• Employers Prefer: A Ph.D. degree
• Skills/Courses: College courses include biology, analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, math, physics, and computer science.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available.