Beginning the job search is the first step toward starting your career after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. To help, we’ve compiled seven of the most common chemistry jobs for new grads.
Beginning the job search is the first step toward starting your career after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.
Entry-level jobs for chemistry students can range from working as a forensic scientist or water treatment plant operator to highly detail-oriented positions like a chemical technician or material scientist.
Just because it’s your first job in the industry doesn’t mean you won’t be earning much – the average entry-level chemist job pays an average salary of $49,245, according to Glassdoor. Other jobs you can get into with your chemistry degree typically hover around $50,000 as well.
Though most of these jobs are for recent graduates, some companies may allow you to work in an internship role or for class credit in certain positions.
Read on to find out more about some of the chemistry jobs you’re eligible for with a bachelor’s degree.
7 Chemistry Jobs for New Graduates
Being a recent graduate means you have access to tons of chemistry jobs that will help you learn more about the industry and gain experience in the field. While many entry-level jobs are hands-on, there are some that may require additional schooling in order to advance.
No matter the position, you’ll have the opportunity to put your chemistry knowledge to the test and learn from your position in a way that will help you toward your next step.
Here’s a breakdown of seven of the most popular jobs for new chemistry graduates.
1. Agricultural and Food Science Technician
Entry-level roles in this field call on your chemistry foundation to analyze the quality of food and agricultural products. In this position, you’ll assist other food scientists with work that takes place in processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses, laboratories and offices.
The BLS reports that this area of the life sciences industry is growing at a 9% growth rate, which is faster than most other industries. You can start off making $44,7000 annually, then grow your experience and expertise to continue working up and learning more about the industry.
Food Science Technician Jobs Available Now
2. Analytical Chemist
You can work as an analytical chemist at a junior level within months of earning your Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. Analytical chemists study and analyze substances like drugs or food to determine what components are present and in what quantities, as well as how those components react with one another.
Junior analytical chemists will conduct basic laboratory research,work on process and product development and design. Entry-level analytical chemists usually bring in an average of $54,291, though the salary range can be anywhere between $48,763 and $61,550, according to Salary.com. Some say the analytical chemistry field is expected to grow 7% in the next ten years.
Analytical Chemist Jobs Available Now
3. Chemical Engineer
A chemical engineer role is one of the more obvious job possibilities for anyone with a chemistry or chemical engineering background.
Working in this position requires you to apply principles of chemistry, biology, physics and math to solve problems involving fuel, drugs, food and other products. Most of the jobs take place in refineries and industrial plants and require teamwork.
On a typical day, you’ll work to design processes and equipment for manufacturing, establish health and safety procedures and plan for and test production methods in the lab. Entry-level roles can bring in anywhere around $73,190 and $88,490. Chemical engineers are in high demand, with the industry expected to grow 14% over the next decade.
4. Chemical Technician
Chemical technicians are one of the most common entry-level jobs for recent chemistry graduates. As a chemical technician, you’ll support chemists and chemical engineers.
There are two types of positions within this job: a laboratory technician, which focuses on maintaining laboratory equipment and specializing in that technology, and a processing technician, which focuses on monitoring processes and products in the lab.
Laboratory technicians assist in conducting tests that measure environmental impact, quality assurance, safety or regulatory adherence. Laboratory technicians can specialize in specific technologies to make them more marketable for future employment opportunities.
Chemical technicians make an average of $54,910, according to Salary.com, but there is potential to earn up to $65,710 in this position.
Chemical Technician Jobs Available Now
5. Forensic Science Technician
Shows like Law & Order and CSI may have sparked a new interest in the forensic science field. If you’re interested in studying crime scene evidence like ballistics, blood spatter and fingerprints, then you will be excited to know that you’re eligible for a forensic science technician job if you have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
According to the BLS, forensic science technicians make an average salary of $61,930. Over the next ten years, there is expected to be an 11% increase in the number of forensic science tech jobs available, which is well over the 5% average growth rate for all jobs.
Forensic Science Jobs Available Now
6. Material Scientist
If you like the idea of breaking down substances into their simplest parts, a career focused on material science might be right for you. Entry-level material scientists analyze the atomic and molecular levels of substances and study the way substances interact with one another.
Recent graduates will be in both the laboratories and offices, but further schooling may be required to conduct research in the field. The 2021 median pay, counting both entry-level and experienced positions, was around $79,760 per year. There will continue to be a need for material scientists in the coming years, so it’s a promising field to get into right out of college.
Material Scientist Jobs Available Now
7. Water Treatment Plant Operator
Water and wastewater treatment plants have changed drastically in the last few years due to technological advancements. In the coming years, there will be a focus on specialization within the industry to continue advancing and streamlining the processes involved.
Despite the growth of the industry being expected to decline, there are still numerous jobs that will need to be filled. The job descriptions have changed over the years, and now there is a greater need for professionals who specialize in the technology being used. The BLS reported that there are 10,800 openings for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators projected each year.
Plant and system operators make around $47,880 per year and are required complete some on-the-job training to accompany their schooling.
