What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Chemists in the U.S. earn more than $91,240 a year — the middle 80% land between $58,460 and $160,830. About 82,770 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Chemists”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$91,240typical pay / year
82,770people in this work
$160,830+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing1
Analyze chemical substances
+Analyze the new pigment solvent blend: run GC sample prep, record pH, viscosity and refractive index, compare…
Analyze chemical substances
+Analyze the new pigment solvent blend: run GC sample prep, record pH, viscosity and refractive index, compare results to the formula limits, flag any outliers and recommend reformulation steps for the development team by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Make2
Conduct quality control tests.
+Run the QC battery on Batch 2147A from Line 3: confirm pH, viscosity at 25°C, microbial plate counts, and…
Conduct quality control tests.
+Run the QC battery on Batch 2147A from Line 3: confirm pH, viscosity at 25°C, microbial plate counts, and preservative efficacy, record deviations against specs, flag any out-of-spec result to Sarah in QC and hold the batch for review.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Develop new products and compounds
+Formulate a 0.5% vitamin C emulsion prototype for dry skin: convert the lab formula into stepwise process…
Develop new products and compounds
+Formulate a 0.5% vitamin C emulsion prototype for dry skin: convert the lab formula into stepwise process notes, calculate scaling for a 10 kg pilot batch, list raw material tolerances and required safety controls, then schedule stability sampling every week for eight weeks.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Learning1
Oversee laboratory technicians
+Organize the lab tech rota for next fortnight to cover three shifts: assign Emma to morning stability checks,…
Oversee laboratory technicians
+Organize the lab tech rota for next fortnight to cover three shifts: assign Emma to morning stability checks, Javier to microbial testing, and Priya to sample prep; include a training slot on the new aseptic technique and note who covers equipment calibration on Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work16
Conduct research and experiments
+Design three candidate formulations for a lightweight daytime moisturizer, outline the stepwise lab protocol…
Conduct research and experiments
+Design three candidate formulations for a lightweight daytime moisturizer, outline the stepwise lab protocol for each including reagent quantities, temperatures, and safety checks, then schedule HPLC and microbial tests and note expected pass criteria.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Prepare and mix compounds in labs
+Prepare and mix a 500 gram batch of the new emulsified serum using the listed phase A and B ingredients,…
Prepare and mix compounds in labs
+Prepare and mix a 500 gram batch of the new emulsified serum using the listed phase A and B ingredients, record exact measured weights and mixing speeds, run in-process pH and viscosity checks, and log any deviations in the batch record.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Collaborate with engineers and scientists
+Organise a cross-functional review with James in process engineering and Dr Lee in analytical development to…
Collaborate with engineers and scientists
+Organise a cross-functional review with James in process engineering and Dr Lee in analytical development to walk through scale-up constraints for the waterless balm, circulate a short pre-read with target rheology and stability results, and assign owners for two action items.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeMicrosoft Visiojob descriptions
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Use computational modeling and simulation tools
+Run a computational simulation comparing droplet size distribution for three emulsifier levels, export the…
Use computational modeling and simulation tools
+Run a computational simulation comparing droplet size distribution for three emulsifier levels, export the summary table of predicted mean diameters and shear sensitivity, then compare predictions against our recent laser diffraction data and flag where model diverges by more than 20 percent.
The tools that do the workC++Microsoft Exceljob descriptions
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Identify substances for safety and pollution control
+Screen the new supplier sample for volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, run targeted GC-MS and ICP-MS…
Identify substances for safety and pollution control
+Screen the new supplier sample for volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, run targeted GC-MS and ICP-MS assays, log compound identities and concentrations, and prepare a hazard summary with recommended controls if any analyte exceeds regulatory limits.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Test and analyze evidence in forensic cases
+Process the seized cosmetics samples from case 4821, run qualitative screens for adulterants, document chain…
Test and analyze evidence in forensic cases
+Process the seized cosmetics samples from case 4821, run qualitative screens for adulterants, document chain of custody, prepare analytical reports with chromatograms and method parameters, and deliver the findings to the forensic lead by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Translate the research results into industrial production processes
+Convert the lab report and pilot-batch notes for the new moisturizing cream into a full production protocol…
Translate the research results into industrial production processes
+Convert the lab report and pilot-batch notes for the new moisturizing cream into a full production protocol with stepwise ingredient additions, target temperatures, mixing speeds, hold times, cleaning cycles, and QA sample points ready for the factory techs by next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Test the environmental impact of the manufactured products
+Run the life-cycle and biodegradability test results through an environmental-impact summary, quantify VOCs…
Test the environmental impact of the manufactured products
+Run the life-cycle and biodegradability test results through an environmental-impact summary, quantify VOCs and aquatic toxicity per SKU, compare against regulatory thresholds, and produce a one-page compliance brief for procurement and sustainability by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordESCO
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Translate formulae into processes
+Translate the lab formula into manufacturing-ready process sheets: convert grams to kilogram batch sizes, set…
Translate formulae into processes
+Translate the lab formula into manufacturing-ready process sheets: convert grams to kilogram batch sizes, set scale factors, specify ingredient addition order and tolerances, list critical control points and in-process tests for the pilot run on Thursday.
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Apply safety procedures in laboratory
+Prepare an updated lab safety checklist and step-by-step SOP for the new surfactant trial: PPE required,…
Apply safety procedures in laboratory
+Prepare an updated lab safety checklist and step-by-step SOP for the new surfactant trial: PPE required, mixing and heating hazards, spill and waste procedures, emergency contacts, and required sign-offs before the first run on Monday.
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Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards
+Confirm the safety dossier for the new face cream batch, verify all hazard data sheets and stability tests…
Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards
+Confirm the safety dossier for the new face cream batch, verify all hazard data sheets and stability tests are logged, update the regulatory checklist for EU and US limits, and flag any missing toxicology reports before release next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Study the composition of matter and its properties
+Run comparative composition analyses on the oily phase and aqueous phase samples, consolidate the percent by…
Study the composition of matter and its properties
+Run comparative composition analyses on the oily phase and aqueous phase samples, consolidate the percent by weight for each ingredient, note unexpected impurities, and write a brief methods section for the lab notebook by end of day Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Describe properties in terms of quantities
+Translate the viscosity, pH, and conductivity readings into numeric property statements, produce a table of…
Describe properties in terms of quantities
+Translate the viscosity, pH, and conductivity readings into numeric property statements, produce a table of mean, standard deviation and units for each property, and attach the instrument calibration records before sending to R&D.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Create new artificial substances and useful processes
+Design and record the synthesis plan for the new emollient analog, list reagents with molar ratios, outline…
Create new artificial substances and useful processes
+Design and record the synthesis plan for the new emollient analog, list reagents with molar ratios, outline stepwise temperatures and hold times, and prepare sample labels and safety notes for the pilot run next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Specialize in subdisciplines of chemistry
+Select two subdisciplines to deepen for our line—physical formulation and analytical chemistry—describe three…
Specialize in subdisciplines of chemistry
+Select two subdisciplines to deepen for our line—physical formulation and analytical chemistry—describe three specific experiments to pursue, assign expected outcomes and resource needs, and submit the plan to the technical lead by Friday afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Apply knowledge to develop new materials and processes
+Draft the development pathway for the new polymeric film former: propose target properties, outline…
Apply knowledge to develop new materials and processes
+Draft the development pathway for the new polymeric film former: propose target properties, outline formulation trials and acceptance criteria, list required stability and safety tests, and request lab time for two weeks starting next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Says who?
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses