How to hire a formulation chemist

How to hire a formulation chemist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step formulation chemist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a formulation chemist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new formulation chemist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a formulation chemist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the formulation chemist you need to hire. Certain formulation chemist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect formulation chemist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of formulation chemist salaries for various roles:

   Type of Formulation Chemist	Description	Hourly rate
   Formulation Chemist	Chemists and materials scientists study substances at the atomic and molecular levels and the ways in which the substances interact with one another. They use their knowledge to develop new and improved products and to test the quality of manufactured goods.	$22-45
   Postdoctoral Scholar	A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis... Show more	$19-37
   Quality Control Coordinator	A quality control coordinator is in charge of organizing and overseeing an organization's quality control procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They coordinate teams and activities, delegate tasks, conduct audits, set goals, establish guidelines, gather and analyze client feedback, and develop strategies to optimize operations... Show more	$11-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Scale-Up
   • R
   • Product Development
   • Lab Notebook
   • Formulation Development
   • QC
   • GMP
   • Analytical Methods
   • FDA
   • Stability Studies
   • Test Methods
   • Data Analysis
   • Lab Equipment
   • DSC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Utilize Citrix LIMS to register, manage, enter and release sample results for supervisor review.
   • Provide key data in GLP testing of in-house samples using GC, AA, and UV-Vis.
   • Follow ASTM procedures and criteria for analyzing products.
   • Create internal sensory training according to the ASTM method.
   • Help to aid the plant in becoming compliant with EPA standards.
   • Perform analysis of pharmaceutical drug products in compliance cGMP and GLP procedures.

   More formulation chemist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your formulation chemist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A formulation chemist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, formulation chemists' average salary in south dakota is 51% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level formulation chemists earn 51% less than senior-level formulation chemists.
   • Certifications. A formulation chemist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a formulation chemist's salary.

   Average formulation chemist salary

   $66,678yearly

   $32.06 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level formulation chemist salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average formulation chemist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$85,146	$41
   2	California	$79,848	$38
   3	Tennessee	$79,739	$38
   4	Texas	$77,206	$37
   5	New Jersey	$76,696	$37
   6	Missouri	$74,839	$36
   7	Massachusetts	$71,378	$34
   8	Connecticut	$69,224	$33
   9	Colorado	$67,569	$32
   10	Kansas	$67,158	$32
   11	Indiana	$66,992	$32
   12	North Carolina	$66,080	$32
   13	Michigan	$62,494	$30
   14	New York	$60,450	$29
   15	Pennsylvania	$59,180	$28
   16	Arizona	$58,506	$28
   17	Illinois	$57,489	$28

   Average formulation chemist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$112,305	$53.99
   2	Amyris	$91,982	$44.22
   3	FMC	$89,174	$42.87
   4	Ingredion	$88,224	$42.42
   5	Medline	$79,851	$38.39	1
   6	Vi-Jon	$72,533	$34.87
   7	PROSOCO	$71,437	$34.34
   8	SRI International	$70,555	$33.92
   9	Aerotek	$70,338	$33.82
   10	Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.	$70,189	$33.74	5
   11	Central Garden & Pet	$67,255	$32.33
   12	Authentix	$66,977	$32.20
   13	Diversey	$66,559	$32.00	1
   14	Kelly Services	$66,355	$31.90	16
   15	Techtronic Industries TTI	$64,354	$30.94
   16	Tergus Pharma	$64,279	$30.90
   17	Materia	$64,112	$30.82
   18	UTEX Industries	$64,079	$30.81
   19	Monsanto	$63,733	$30.64
   20	Vestaron	$63,716	$30.63

4. Writing a formulation chemist job description

   A formulation chemist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a formulation chemist job description:

   Formulation chemist job description example

   Title: Formulation Chemist
   Location: Lakewood, NJ
   Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (with some flexibility)
   Type: Temp with extension
   Start Date: Immediately
   
   Responsibities:
   
   The purpose of this role is to support formulation development aspects of pharmaceutical products through formulations optimization to overall candidate progression for clients’ products. Applying a working knowledge of formulation science theories, practices and concepts, the incumbent works under the direct supervisions of senior R&D scientists to execute and manage product formulation projects. This role will ensure all SOPs and protocols are maintained and applied.

   • Under the supervision of the R&D Manager, perform formulation and pre-formulation activities in the development and scale-up of formulations including parenteral (solutions and suspensions) and nasal spray products from bench top to pilot-scale to commercial production.
   • Manufacture small scale laboratory batches to experiment with formulation creation or enhancements.
   • Prepare and write study plans, technical reports, which summarize formulation development work and results.
   • Operate all small-scale equipment and perform troubleshooting and calibration of equipment as needed.
   • Performs assigned tasks which are needed to maintain the formulation laboratory. Such tasks may include ordering laboratory supplies, calibrating instruments and Hazmat duties.
   • Manage time effectively to complete assignments in an expected timeframe.
   • Document all experimental work neatly and correctly in a lab notebook in accordance with SOPs. Review test results and notebook to ensure accurate documentation.
   • Ensure proper training before performing any experimentation and maintain an up-to-date training record related to all job functions.
   • Maintain current knowledge of relevant Quality System Regulations and other regulatory requirements related to research and development (product development, design and safety) to ensure compliance in all research, data collection and reporting activities.
   • Maintain quality checks on safety of the laboratory, including biohazards and ensure maintenance of the facilities.
   • Other duties, as assigned.

   Requirements:

   • Bachelor’s of Science Degree, Master’s degree and / or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Formulation Chemistry or similar degree
   • Minimum of 1 - 3 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical formulation is preferred.
   • Must have the ability to work in a team environment.
   • Must ensure safety regulations are adhered to in the laboratory.
   • Must comply with all company policies.
   • Flexibility in schedule is required.

   Joule, a System One division is a leader in specialized workforce solutions and integrated services. With more than 6,000 employees and roughly 50 offices throughout the U.S. we provide scientific, clinical, engineering, energy, IT, legal and administrative staffing services. For more than 40 years, we have delivered workforce solutions and integrated services to clients nationally.

   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find formulation chemists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any formulation chemists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level formulation chemists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your formulation chemist job on Zippia to find and recruit formulation chemist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit formulation chemists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new formulation chemist

   Once you've found the formulation chemist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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