| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Develop or test new drugs or medications intended for commercial distribution. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Research how characteristics of plants or animals are carried through successive generations. |
Chemistry Careers and Jobs
Select, Find and Prepare for Chemistry Careers and Jobs - all on one page
For science-minded people who want hands-on lab work in industries from pharmaceuticals to manufacturing. Use the tools below to see which chemistry roles fit your background and goals.
Chemistry graduates often work in quality control and lab roles immediately after a bachelor's, while research-scientist roles typically require a master's or Ph.D. Use the tools below to explore Chemistry-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like QC Chemist, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Research Chemist or Lab Manager. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as American Chemical Society (ACS) certification programs, that can help you move up the career ladder.
Here is a short Helper Video 
This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Chemistry careers/jobs, (2) Find Chemistry job listings, (3) Prepare for Chemistry careers, and (4) Provide Chemistry career-specific resources.
Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Chemistry careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Chemistry Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Chemistry careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Chemistry, so relevant Chemistry jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Chemistry Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Chemistry Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Chemistry careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 108 Chemistry Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.
** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job
14 Chemistry careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Chemistry-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:
| Occupations | U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) | Chemistry-Related Jobs |
20 Chemistry careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Chemistry-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::
| Occupations | National Median Salary | Chemistry-Related Jobs |
21 Chemistry careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Chemistry-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.
|
Education/Preparation Categories: 5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.) 4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree 3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree 2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always Please Scroll and Select below: |
||
| Occupations | Education/Preparation | Chemistry-Related Jobs |
Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 108 specific Chemistry job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:
Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below
Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Find Job Listings:
Biochemists and Biophysicists.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Description: Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Biochemists and Biophysicists":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
34,800U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
36,500
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
1,600 (4.7%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
3,200
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Develop methods to process, store, or use foods, drugs, or chemical compounds. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Investigate the nature, composition, or expression of genes or research how genetic engineering can impact these processes. |
| Importance: 55 (%) | Description: Produce pharmaceutically or industrially useful proteins, using recombinant DNA technology. |
| Importance: 40 (%) | Description: Prepare pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 93 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Analyze biological samples. | |
| Design research studies to obtain scientific information. | |
| Develop biological research methods. | |
| Develop new or advanced products or production methods. | |
| Instruct college students in physical or life sciences. | |
| Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing. | |
| Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. | |
| Research diseases or parasites. | |
| Research genetic characteristics or expression. | |
| Research methods to improve food products. | |
| Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures. | |
| Set up laboratory or field equipment. | |
| Supervise scientific or technical personnel. | |
| Write grant proposals. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
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| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data. |
| Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards. |
| Activity: Develop research plans or methodologies. |
| Activity: Prepare proposals or grant applications. |
| Activity: Prepare specimens or materials for testing. |
| Activity: Present research or technical information. |
| Activity: Research biological or ecological phenomena. |
| Activity: Research technology designs or applications. |
| Activity: Set up equipment. |
| Activity: Supervise personnel activities. |
| Activity: Teach academic or vocational subjects. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Presentation software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Widely Used Tech Skills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electronic lab notebook software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IBM SPSS Statistics SAS The MathWorks MATLAB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enterprise application integration software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extensible markup language XML | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAP software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Photoshop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Perl Python R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating system software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Linux | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Process mapping and design software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Visio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Word | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General Software Tools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Computer aided design CAD software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accelrys Insight II ChemInnovation Software Chem 4-D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sequence database software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Data mining software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Helix ChemTree Golden Helix HelixTree | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Email software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geographic information system: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ESRI What if? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Information retrieval or search software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Molecular Networks GmbH Biochemical Pathways | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory management software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ItemTracker |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
| Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
| Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
| Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
| These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
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| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 40.0 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Doctoral Training |
| Frequency of Attainment: 25.0 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 25.0 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 10.0 (%) | Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
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| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 40.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 25.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 15.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 10.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 5.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 5.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Certifications
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Approved Chemist
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Toxicological Technologist
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Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PHRMA)
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Special Care Dentistry Association (SCD)
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Job Listings
| Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings |
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources
This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Biochemists and Biophysicists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Biochemists and Biophysicists
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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