Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Chemists work in a technically demanding field that combines science, mathematics, and critical thinking to analyze and solve complex problems. Nationally, this occupation employs about 87,000 people, with a median annual salary of $84,150 and projected employment growth of 4.9%. This combination of a sizable workforce and positive growth suggests ongoing demand and continued hiring needs, reflected in an estimated 6,000 annual openings. Chemists benefit from a blend of scientific and analytical skills alongside strengths in computers and information technology, writing and reading, and detail orientation. Leadership, project management, and problem-solving abilities also contribute to long-term career development. For individuals interested in science-focused work supported by quantitative and analytical skills, chemistry offers a structured path with clear educational expectations at the bachelor’s degree level and a variety of geographic markets that show particularly strong opportunity scores for this occupation.
Chemists earn a national median annual salary of $84,150, with pay levels varying meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Massachusetts shows a median salary of $125,000, while California and Washington both offer median salaries close to or just under $100,000. New York’s median salary is $90,600, and Colorado’s is $101,980, indicating a range of earnings even within strong markets. At the metro level, several areas stand out with higher median pay: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria reports $144,680, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont offers $127,790. Boston-Cambridge-Newton is similarly high at $127,290, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara lists $114,890. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro shows a median of $85,150. Overall, chemists can see substantial variation in earning potential depending on state and metro choice, with some large metropolitan areas offering notably higher salaries.
Chemists have a national employment base of about 87,000 workers and a projected employment growth rate of 4.9%. This projected growth, combined with an estimated 6,000 annual openings, points to ongoing opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals. The consistent 4.9% growth figure also appears across several leading states and metro areas, suggesting a broadly similar growth outlook in multiple regions listed. For someone considering this field, the combination of a clearly defined labor market size, positive projected growth, and a steady flow of openings indicates a career path with recurring hiring needs. The presence of strong opportunity scores in multiple states and metropolitan areas further supports the idea that chemists can explore options across different parts of the country while still aligning with markets that show solid demand indicators for this occupation.
Geography plays a significant role in shaping opportunities for chemists. Among states, California has the highest employment level listed at 9,820 chemists and a median salary of $97,860, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts, with 3,430 employed chemists and a higher median salary of $125,000, has an opportunity score of 65.87. New York employs 4,230 chemists at a median of $90,600, while Colorado and Washington show smaller employment levels—1,790 and 2,280 respectively—but both offer median salaries around or just under $100,000 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and New York-Newark-Jersey City have the highest opportunity scores, both above 77, though New York’s median salary is lower than several other metros. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton combine relatively high salaries with strong opportunity scores, giving chemists multiple high-potential urban markets to consider.
Chemists typically enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, providing a clear and accessible educational pathway for students planning their careers or adults considering a change. Success in this occupation relies on a strong foundation in science and mathematics, supported by critical and analytical thinking skills. Proficiency with computers and information technology also plays an important role, along with solid writing and reading abilities that support clear documentation and communication. Being detail oriented is emphasized, reflecting the precision needed in this work. Project management, leadership, and mechanical skills further contribute to effectiveness on the job, especially as chemists advance or take on more responsibility. Problem solving and decision making round out the skill profile, helping chemists interpret data, evaluate options, and choose appropriate paths forward. Together, the bachelor’s-level education and this mix of technical, analytical, and organizational skills define the core preparation for building and growing a career as a chemist.
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