Chemist Career Guide

Although ancient alchemists never managed to transmute lead to gold, their experiments eventually gave rise to the science of chemistry. People who possess the right combination of creativity and meticulousness can do well as chemists. As chemistry touches on a wide variety of different fields, chemists can choose from a number of different specialties.

At the most basic level, you?ll spend your days studying the interactions between different types of chemicals. However, the staggering number of possible chemical compounds means you?ll likely specialize in a particular branch of chemistry. Organic chemists and biochemists often find themselves employed at hospital labs or pharmaceutical companies, while other chemists might work for chemical companies creating new compounds for use in different industries. There?s an opening for chemists in almost any industry or research setting imaginable.

Many chemistry careers require an advanced degree, such as a master?s degree or a doctorate, but some only require a bachelor?s degree. As with many science careers, salaries range from an average income to higher levels of income, with your salary correlating closely with your degree and experience. You can find chemistry jobs in almost every major city and in almost any industry, so your life choices won?t need to be restricted by your career.

If you enjoy discovery and have fond memories of working with a chemistry set as a child, a career in chemistry may be a good fit for you. To learn more about how to become a chemist or what the life of a chemist is like, read some of the career profiles that we?ve collected below by conducting one-on-one interviews with professional chemists.