Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
To enter the occupation, chemists and materials scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field. However, they may need a master’s degree or Ph.D. for some jobs, such as research positions. PayThe median annual wage for chemists was $91,240 in May 2025.The median annual wage for materials scientists was $117,790 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 6,500 openings for chemists and materials scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemists and materials scientists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemists and materials scientists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chemists and materials scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for chemists was $91,240 in May 2025.The median annual wage for materials scientists was $117,790 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 6,500 openings for chemists and materials scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemists and materials scientists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemists and materials scientists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chemists and materials scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 6,500 openings for chemists and materials scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemists and materials scientists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemists and materials scientists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chemists and materials scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Chemists and materials scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge.
Work Environment
Chemists and materials scientists work in laboratories, offices, and manufacturing facilities. Most work full time.
How to Become a Chemist or Materials Scientist
To enter the occupation, chemists and materials scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field. However, they may need a master’s degree or Ph.D. for some jobs, such as research positions.
Pay
The median annual wage for chemists was $91,240 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for materials scientists was $117,790 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 6,500 openings for chemists and materials scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemists and materials scientists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemists and materials scientists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chemists and materials scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Chemists and materials scientists work in laboratories, offices, and manufacturing facilities. Most work full time.
How to Become a Chemist or Materials Scientist
To enter the occupation, chemists and materials scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field. However, they may need a master’s degree or Ph.D. for some jobs, such as research positions.
Pay
The median annual wage for chemists was $91,240 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for materials scientists was $117,790 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 6,500 openings for chemists and materials scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemists and materials scientists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemists and materials scientists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chemists and materials scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemists and materials scientists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemists and materials scientists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chemists and materials scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about chemists and materials scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.