Chemist Jobs Overview
If the highlight of your school days was doing experiments in the lab, a career as a chemist could be the right path for you. Chemist jobs exist across a great scope of industries and sectors. You can for example work at a research institution, production plant, laboratory, or testing facility and in the public or private sector.
Chemists are experts on chemical substances and reactions. Many chemists work either in basic research, where the goal is to expand knowledge, or applied research, which aims to create solutions to specific problems. Chemists can also use their skills in other ways, for example to prepare solutions and compounds or oversee chemical processing and testing procedures.
If you have a passion for physical science and research and are curious and analytical, this may be just the field for you. Chemists are divided into many different specialties. Some of the most common ones include:
- Biochemistry: involving chemicals and chemical reactions in human or animal bodies. Biochemists use this knowledge for genetic engineering, biomedicine, pharmaceutical research or to study different diseases.
- Theoretical chemistry: the study of chemical reactions for basic research studies.
- Forensic chemistry: to help police and other investigators solve crime by testing evidence.
- Nuclear chemistry: preoccupied with radioactivity and other nuclear matter.
- Medicinal chemistry: researching compounds that can be used for pharmaceutical drugs.
Also consider searching for other jobs in physical science, for example:
Education and Skills for Chemist Jobs
Chemists need to be analytical, curious, detail-oriented, and logical. As a chemist you will likely spend a lot of time working independently, so you should be self-motivated and independent, but you may also collaborate in teams depending on the job.
To work as a chemist, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry. There are several different types of chemistry degrees, so take your time researching what you want to specialize in. Many jobs also require a master’s or Ph.D degree, especially if you want to work in research. You can learn more about the requirements in Monster’s example job description for biochemists.
Update Your Chemist Resume
To get a job as a chemist you’ll first need to spark a reaction to your job application. We have a list of ingredients that any cover letter should include. Make sure to also review our resume sample for an entry-level chemist position to see what you should emphasize when you update your resume.
Interviewing for a Chemist Job
While you won’t be able to fabricate chemistry with your interviewer, you can go a long way by preparing for the interview. Start by reviewing our articles on common interview questions, and then practice for questions specific to the job. Here are some examples:
- What field of chemistry are you most interested in?
- What new research findings in chemistry do you find most exciting?
- What do you like most and least about working in the lab?
How Much Do Chemist Jobs Pay?
The average nationwide salary for a chemist is $57,992. Use our salary tools to find out how much chemists in your area make. You can also use the tools to compare salaries for different types of chemists as well as salaries for related jobs.
Learn More in Our Company Profiles
If you are planning to work in the private sector, take the time to search for employers with our company profiles. Researching prospective employers can help you evaluate if the company is right for you, tailor the application to the company, and prepare for your job interview. In these profiles you can find:
- company descriptions
- company photos and videos
- employee benefits
Monster Know the Science of Finding Chemist Jobs
The job search process is a science in itself and fortunately, we’ve got that one covered. We know that you increase your chances of finding a job faster by using a variety of strategies, including responding to job ads and getting your resume in front of recruiters so they can contact you. By creating a profile you can upload your resume and use it both to apply for jobs you find here, and to be visible to recruiters and hiring managers.