Occupation · SOC 19-2031
Chemists
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Median wage
—
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
—
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
688 mapped
Core skills
ScienceReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingWritingMathematicsActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningMonitoringQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessOperations MonitoringLearning StrategiesInstructingCoordinationTroubleshootingManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceService OrientationPersuasionOperations AnalysisEquipment SelectionOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesRepairingProgrammingNegotiationManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignInstallation
Knowledge areas
ChemistryEnglish LanguageMathematicsProduction and ProcessingComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and ManagementAdministrativePhysicsEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceBiologyDesignTransportationPersonnel and Human ResourcesEconomics and AccountingPsychologySales and MarketingCommunications and MediaForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyGeographySociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryHistory and ArcheologyTelecommunicationsFood ProductionBuilding and ConstructionTherapy and CounselingFine Arts
Technology & tools
Accelrys Cerius2Accelrys DeCipherAdvanced Chemistry Development ACD/1D nuclear magnetic resonance NMR processorAgilent ChemStationApple iWorkApple iWork KeynoteApple iWork NumbersApple iWork PagesBruker BioSpin TopSpinCC++CambridgeSoft ChemOffice UltraChem2PacChemInnovation Software Chem 4-DChemSW Buffer MakerChemSW Calibration ProChemSW Chemical Inventory System CISChemSW Laboratory Document Control System LDCSChemSW Mass Spec ToolsChemSW Molecular Modeling ProChemSW Uncertainty ProChemical kinetics softwareConversion tools softwareCrystalMakerCrystallography softwareDensity functional theory DFT softwareDigital imaging softwareExtensible markup language XMLGas chromatograph GS softwareGaussian softwareGraphics softwareHypercube HyperChemHypertext markup language HTMLInternet browser softwareItemTrackerJDA Arthur KnowledgeBase databaseLabTrack Electronic Lab NotebookLaboratory information management system LIMSLogger softwareMSI Insight/Discover
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProcessing InformationWorking with ComputersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping and Building TeamsThinking CreativelyControlling Machines and ProcessesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCoaching and Developing OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Standard analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, FTIR, UV-Vis) — operate per SOP under a senior chemist's review.Reagent prep and titration — perform to method on a QC lab bench.Lab safety (PPE, hood etiquette, MSDS) — apply consistently in a multi-chemist environment.Sample receiving and chain of custody — maintain accurately for routine commercial work.Calibration runs and check standards — schedule and document on assigned instruments.Glassware cleaning and instrument maintenance — execute per the lab's recurring schedule.Lab notebooks and electronic batch records — maintain auditably for assigned methods.Routine statistical comparisons and outlier rules — apply to standard datasets.Solvent waste and chemical disposal — segregate and label per RCRA-compliant procedure.Method-of-analysis documentation — read, follow, and flag deviations to a supervisor.
developing
Method development and validation — execute against ICH Q2 or USP guidelines on a defined product line.Synthesis at the gram scale — plan, run, and characterize routinely in an R&D lab.NMR, MS, and chromatography data — interpret independently on standard substrate classes.Out-of-specification investigations — lead under a senior chemist's review with documented root cause.Process chemistry transfers — support from R&D to pilot under a GMP framework.Junior analysts and interns — train on routine analyses in a QC environment.Stability studies (ICH conditions) — pull and analyze on a recurring schedule.Equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) — execute on a defined chromatographic system.Technical reports and Certificates of Analysis — author for routine commercial work.Continuous-improvement initiatives — propose and shepherd through QA in a regulated lab.
proficient
Analytical strategy for a product portfolio — design and defend across regulatory submissions.Process development from milligram to kilogram — lead through campaign planning and impurity control.Method transfers across sites — author, execute, and reconcile with site QA partners.Regulatory submissions (CMC, IND, NDA sections) — author analytical and stability sections.Out-of-trend and OOS escalations — lead investigations across QC and manufacturing.Senior analysts and method-development chemists — supervise across a small team.Audit responses (FDA, EMA, customer) — lead with documented CAPAs and SOP updates.Synthetic route selection and IP landscaping — propose for development candidates.Cross-functional engagement with formulation, regulatory, and manufacturing — lead at project level.Continuous-process verification (CPV) plans — design and steward in a GMP environment.
advanced
Analytical and quality strategy for a company or major site — set direction across multiple portfolios.Process-chemistry platforms (e.g., continuous flow, biocatalysis) — build and scale across product lines.Regulatory inspections and warning-letter responses — lead at the executive level with agency interlocutors.Talent development across the chemistry organization — own succession, calibration, and promotion.External partnerships (CROs, CDMOs, academic groups) — negotiate and steward through long-term engagements.Innovation portfolios and IP strategy — prioritize across research, development, and manufacturing.Cross-site quality systems and harmonization — institutionalize across legacy and new sites.Disciplinary norms and standards bodies — contribute through ACS, USP, or ICH committees.Sustainability and green-chemistry programs — set targets and report against credible benchmarks.Scientific communication and recruitment — represent the company in conferences, press, and partnerships.
Also known as
62 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agricultural ChemistAir Quality ChemistAnalytical ChemistAnalytical ScientistAssay Development ScientistAstrochemistBench ChemistBench ScientistCeramic ChemistCereal ChemistChemical AnalystChemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist)ChemistChemistry ScientistCoal ChemistControl ChemistCosmetic ChemistDairy ChemistElectrochemistEnvironmental Field ChemistField ChemistFood ChemistFood Processing ChemistForensic ChemistFormulary ChemistFormulation ChemistFormulation ScientistGas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Analyst (GCMS Analyst)Industrial ChemistInorganic ChemistLab Chemist (Laboratory Chemist)Lab Pack Chemist (Laboratory Pack Chemist)Medical ChemistMetal AnalystMix ChemistNuclear ChemistNutritional ChemistOil ExpertOrganic ChemistPatent Chemist