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Chemical Scientists

Chemical scientists analyse and research physical aspects of chemical structure and change within substances and develop chemical techniques used in the manufacture or modification of natural substances and processed products.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£20,564
£34,066
£56,978

New workers start around £20,564. Normal pay is £34,066 per year.
Highly experienced workers can earn up to £56,978.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 23,740 vacancies for this type of job

4.69%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Develops procedures for quality control of manufactured products.

  • Tests techniques and processes for reliability under a variety of conditions.

  • Analyses results and experimental data.

  • Operates specialised scientific equipment and conducts experiments to identify chemical composition, energy and chemical changes in natural substances and processed materials.

  • Develops experimental procedures, instruments and recording and testing systems.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Chemistry

  • Analytical Chemistry

  • Analytical Techniques

  • Good Manufacturing Practices

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

  • New Product Development

  • Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

  • Biology

  • Organic Chemistry

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communication

  • Research

  • Problem Solving

  • Innovation

  • Management

  • Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)

  • Operations

  • Detail Oriented

  • Leadership

  • Planning

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

See all

Chemical Engineering

Aston University, Birmingham

MEng (Hon) · 5 Years · Sandwich · Birmingham · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Chemistry

London Metropolitan University

BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Part-time · Islington · 09/2025

Tariff points: 112/112

Chemical Engineering

Lancaster University

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Lancaster · 01/10/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Biomedical Science

University of Northampton

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Northampton · 22/09/2025

Tariff points: 112/112

Forensic Science

University of Winchester

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Winchester · 22/09/2025

Tariff points: 112/120

Biotechnology

University of Birmingham

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Birmingham · 29/09/2025

Tariff points: 136/136

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