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Job outlook for chemical analysts in the United States
Chemical analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected chemical analyst job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 2,700 new jobs for chemical analysts are projected over the next decade.
Chemical analyst salaries have increased 9% for chemical analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 5,701 chemical analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 10,790 active chemical analyst job openings in the US.
The average chemical analyst salary is $53,769.
Are chemical analyst jobs in demand?
Chemical analyst job and salary trends over time
Chemical analyst jobs over time
Chemical analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,701 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,965 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,151 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,947 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 5,921 | 0.00% |
Average chemical analyst salary over time
Chemical analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $53,769 | $25.85 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | $53,165 | $25.56 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $51,978 | $24.99 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $51,028 | $24.53 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $49,474 | $23.79 | +2.6% |
Chemical analyst jobs by state
Most common states for chemical analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 115 | 17% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 730 | 11% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 516 | 9% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 77 | 8% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 530 | 6% |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 584 | 5% |
| 7 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 467 | 5% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 266 | 5% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 203 | 5% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 153 | 5% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 146 | 5% |
| 12 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 96 | 5% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 70 | 5% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 53 | 5% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 35 | 5% |
| 16 | Vermont | 623,657 | 31 | 5% |
| 17 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 514 | 4% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 436 | 4% |
| 19 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 412 | 4% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 47 | 4% |
Most common cities for chemical analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reston | 1 | 2% | $58,387 |
| 2 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $52,778 |
Chemical Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of chemical analyst experts
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University
College of Idaho
SUNY at Albany
Ohio University Southern
Wake Forest University
University of Utah
Boston College
Point Loma Nazarene University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Drexel University
Saint Joseph’s University
Boise State University
North Central College
High Point University
Georgia College and State University
Maryville University
Cleveland Community College
What general advice would you give to a Chemical Analyst?
John Richardson: Skills? Well, both hard and soft... Obviously, you will need to have the basic lab and knowledge skills that would be expected of a competent chemistry graduate. Yes, your new employer will spend time training you in the specific skills that pertain to your new job, but basic knowledge and skill sets (e.g., pipetting, calculating dilution factors, having baseline knowledge of common instrumentation) will be expected. As for soft skills, be friendly, cooperative, and curious. Extend these character traits to both your peers and supervisors. Other useful skills that my former students mention would be having some basic knowledge of business and perhaps coding.
What Chemical Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Isabelle Lagadic Ph.D.: I’ve met employers asking me if I could teach my students basic skills like “being on time”, “writing a proper email”, “clearly and carefully documenting their work”, “using critical thinking to stop a recording or an experiment when it is obvious that it is not working”. Those very basic skills that everyone takes for granted in addition of basic technical skills are going to become the most prevalent in the coming years. What’s scary is the collision between the inevitable advancement of Ai in this field and this lack of basic skills. It is difficult to train people on tomorrow’s skills if they don’t already master today’s skills.
What will help Chemical Analysts increase their earning potential?
Patrick Hare: Facility with using and interpreting AI results is an obvious growing need. Many of those skills are just applied analytical and critical thinking. The trick will be to do the applying and keep them fresh. Understanding how the systems work will also be useful.
Changqing Chen Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWhat will help Chemical Analysts increase their earning potential?
Changqing Chen Ph.D.: Try to develop some business skills on product marketing and sales. Try to apply your scientific and engineering skills to business and become an all-around player.
What general advice would you give to a Chemical Analyst?
Changqing Chen Ph.D.: 1. Analytical skills and communication skills will become more important since they are harder to be replaced by AI. 2. If interested, try to learn some information on AI and machine learning, which will be used more in chemistry in the near future on design and synthesis of new molecules/materials, environmental chemistry, green chemistry, and chemistry education.
What general advice would you give to a Chemical Analyst?
Bonnie Cantrell: Chemistry is the backbone to most protocols for the material, medical, and biological sciences.
Without chemistry, we would not know many of the things we know today. It will always be relevant in
helping change the scientific world as we know it. The advancements in science technology alone makes
chemistry today more exciting than ever. Just with balances from 1980's to now, we went from only
being able to weigh with counter balance weights to having a digital scale read accurately to 0.001
milligrams. Chemistry used to be more theoretical and only explainable from what we could make react
together. Now we have technology that can visualize the chemical composition and structure allowing
for us to create solutions to problems we could only dream of before. Whether you are wanting danger,
to save lives, or to help make this planet a better place to live, being a chemist can help you fuel your
passions.
Alan Chen Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Dept of Chemistry & the RNA Institute, University at AlbanySUNY at Albany
Chemistry
What general advice would you give to a Chemical Analyst?
Alan Chen Ph.D.: For entry-level chemistry jobs, by far the best preparation you can get is to do as much hands-on lab research as you can during your undergraduate training. This includes summer REU programs, mentored thesis research, volunteering in labs, summer internships, co-ops, etc. Hiring managers universally want to see not only what skills/assays/instruments you are familiar with, but also that you have real-world, problem solving experience that goes beyond the classroom and textbooks.
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of InstructionOhio University Southern
Chemistry Department
What skills stand out on Chemical Analyst resumes?
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.: For industry/research positions, employers like to see that candidates have experience/training on certain instruments. HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) is a common instrument that I see in a lot of job postings, so experience with that can be especially helpful to a candidate.
What soft skills should all Chemical Analysts possess?
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.: Communication skills are crucial, regardless of the type of position. Chemists need to be able to effectively communicate their findings, as well as communicate with their supervisors and colleagues. Additionally, chemists may be asked to train newer employees, further highlighting the importance of these communication skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Chemical Analysts?
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.: As I mentioned in question 1, training/experience on various instruments is the most important for industry/research jobs. For teaching positions, experience with different pedagogical/education techniques will be helpful for a potential candidate.
Brian Mendenhall
Associate Director and Career CoachWake Forest University
Office of Personal and Career Development
What skills stand out on Chemical Analyst resumes?
Brian Mendenhall: Two things that stand out for me, regardless of whether the person is seeking employment in research or industry, are data analysis (Excel, Python, R) and presentation skills. Research specific skills would also include experimental design and specific relevant laboratory techniques & equipment experience.
What soft skills should all Chemical Analysts possess?
Brian Mendenhall: In the past, the most important attributes have been leadership and problem-solving skills. If the pandemic has taught us anything, the most important attribute is the ability to work with others and get along in multiple virtual and in-person environments. The rest seem elementary and are all dependent on each other. To work well on a team, you need to problem-solve, both on the topic and on how to share information. To solve problems, you need to be analytical and quantitative. Certainly, to do this well, you need to communicate across diverse audiences and levels of understanding. The National Association of Colleges and Employers surveys employers on these priorities and updates the results frequently. (see below for your reference)
Ability to work in a team 81.0%
Problem-solving skills 79.0%
Analytical/quantitative skills 76.1%
Communication skills (verbal) 73.2%
Communication skills (written)
https://www.naceweb.org/about-us/press/the-key-attributes-employers-seek-on-college-graduates-resumes/
Shelley Minteer Ph.D.
Dale and Susan Poulter Endowed Chair in Biological Chemistry, Associate Chair of ChemistryUniversity of Utah
Department Of Chemistry
What skills stand out on Chemical Analyst resumes?
Shelley Minteer Ph.D.: The skills that stand out are research experience, characterization instrumentation experience, and more recently, data science experience and coding experience, as machine learning and AI become more and more important in chemistry.
What soft skills should all Chemical Analysts possess?
Shelley Minteer Ph.D.: The most important soft skills are communication and people management skills. It is critical to be strong in both oral and written communication.
What skills will help Chemical Analysts earn the most?
Shelley Minteer Ph.D.: I think complementing strong fundamental chemistry background with coding and data science skills.
Dunwei Wang Ph.D.
Margaret A & Thomas A Vanderslice Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Chairperson of Chemistry DepartmentBoston College
Chemistry Department
What skills stand out on Chemical Analyst resumes?
Dunwei Wang Ph.D.: Skills to identify and solve problems.
What soft skills should all Chemical Analysts possess?
Dunwei Wang Ph.D.: Problem-solving skills. When presented with a problem, knowing where to go to find information to solve it.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Chemical Analysts?
Dunwei Wang Ph.D.: Chemistry is a diverse field. As a foundational discipline, it enables several sub-fields and supports emerging new fields. As one example, our graduates become experts in medical research, health care, and scientists and engineers in many other fields. Depending on the different career goals, what is important can be drastically different. Generally speaking, doing bench work (either in the lab or on a computer) should be a good skill to have at graduation.
What technical skills for a Chemical Analyst stand out to employers?
Dr. Matthieu Rouffet Ph.D.: Our PLNU graduates have a lot of hands-on experience (most courses have a lab component, and many of our students do summer research with a faculty member for two summers allowing them to spend over 800 hours in a lab), so employers regularly comment on the fact that they are ready to go from day one.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemical Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Darrell Fry: Hiring among chemists and biochemists will remain stronger as compared to the average unemployment rate during the pandemic, in part because chemists and biochemists produce "essential" items. However, connecting with an employer will be more difficult. Traditional avenues for employers and potential employees to make contact, such as the biannual National American Chemical Society Meeting, have been radically changed during the pandemic. Moreover, travel for potential employees to the job site for an interview are problematic.
How have salaries changed over time for Chemical Analysts?
Dr. Richard Knight Ph.D.: Starting salaries for MSE program graduates have increased steadily over time. Pandemic era starting salaries for 2020 and 2021 appear to be holding up reasonably well compared to previous years. For MSE majors who graduated in 2020, and for whom only their final term was impacted by the pandemic, more than 60% reported starting salaries in the $80-90k range. In contrast, MSE majors graduating in 2021, for whom the majority of their senior year was remote/online, and who already have a job, report starting salaries in the $75-80k range, somewhat lower. Over time, more packages include incentives such as signing bonuses, relocation expenses, assistance with finding accommodation, and competitive benefits packages.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Analysts?
Dr. Brian Forster Ph.D.: For a short while, I believe there may be. In science for example, having lab courses online, students lose the "hands-on" skills they would normally learn in class (things that an online class cannot properly teach). Not all online simulations can recreate the same experience as being in the lab, performing the technique. This could potentially mean that recent graduates applying for laboratory job positions may need to either take a refresher course or may need additional time in training to make sure they have a good handle on the required lab technical skills. With schools bringing more classes back into the classroom or lab, I expect that this will not be the future norm.
Adam Colson Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorBoise State University
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Chemical Analysts?
Adam Colson Ph.D.: Unlike certain engineering disciplines, chemistry graduates do not undergo formal licensing or certification before entering the workforce, although academic institutions may apply for endorsement of their degree programs by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Some institutions benefit from the latter, but there are many excellent degree programs in the U.S. that are not ACS approved, and I cannot recall a case in which ACS approval (or the absence thereof) was a major factor in the decision to hire a candidate or admit a student to a graduate program.
What soft skills should all Chemical Analysts possess?
Adam Colson Ph.D.: All graduates should work to develop their narrative skills, regardless of major or academic discipline. Compelling narratives can create a connection between people and communicate ideas in ways that few other forms of communication can. Graduates who are able to hone the art of the narrative and utilize classical narrative practices throughout the job application process will find that their application materials and interviews will make lasting impressions on hiring managers and committees, ultimately resulting in more successful job searches.
What's a good job out of college for Chemical Analysts?
Dr. Paul Brandt: Most students get their first entry-level job and find that it is not what they want to do for the rest of their life. Many will have a new/different job within a year. If you can find a position that is not simply rinse-lather-repeat and one that has some investigative aspect to it this generally keeps the employee more engaged and willing to continue with the company for a longer period of time.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemical Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Paul Brandt: I believe we will see a move to making chemical and pharmaceutical sales more online because it is less expensive and both the seller and buyer have become accustomed to this technique. I expect that some will come back to a face-to-face interaction but it will not be as prominent as it once was.
Dr. Brian Augustine Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry and ChairHigh Point University
Department of Chemistry
What type of skills will young Chemical Analysts need?
Dr. Brian Augustine Ph.D.: Students always need foundational technical skills. In addition to skills specific to chemistry and biochemistry, strong communication and interpersonal skills such as writing, speaking, and collaboration are vital, as are quantitative reasoning skills such as data analytics, statistical analysis, and programming.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Chemical Analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Peter Rosado: Right now, with COVID-19, I feel that the field of medicinal chemistry/biotechnology is going to see a boom. Materials science is also on the rise with alternative energies and new restorative therapies. The area of chemistry is not a more extended purist and more integrated/interdisciplinary. No longer can you call yourself an "inorganic chemist" or an "analytical chemist"? Graduates should be aware that flexibility and eagerness to learn new things is critical here. These are the skills obtained from a college degree, which is not the only subject matter. But the ability to think through and solve problems, be flexible, adaptable, etc.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Analysts?
Anuradha Vummenthala: I don't envision the significant enduring impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on graduates looking for jobs in the Chemistry field. I do acknowledge that the current scenario appears gloomy. It has undoubtedly impacted everyone's lives socially, economically, and psychologically. But we, as humans and especially as Americans, have remarkable resilience, and we are bound to bounce back more vital than ever before.
We managed through the Great Recession and the economic crisis of 2008. The graduates may face some short-term challenges due to a hiring freeze and delayed start date on new hiring. However, the economy is slowly opening up, and opportunities will soon start pouring in. This is not going to last forever! Graduates can efficiently utilize this time to broaden their skill sets, expand their network, and explore non-traditional career paths like scientific writings, patent drafting, federal jobs, etc
What general advice would you give to a Chemical Analyst?
Lynn Monteith: Chemistry is one of the hardest majors to earn. If you have a chemistry degree, you have opened up the door to many rewarding opportunities. Find a field in chemistry you are passionate about and stick with it.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Analysts?
Lynn Monteith: The pandemic is already impacting new graduates' ability to secure jobs. It is also affecting students who are currently enrolled in college courses. Some students choose to take a year off from school with hopes of returning to campus after the pandemic is over.