Organic Chemist
Impact: Indirect
Organic chemists study the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-containing compounds, which form the basis of all known life. They conduct research to develop new products and processes, improve existing ones, and analyze substances for quality control or to solve problems.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented
- Client facing
- Rarely
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Low
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 45
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $105,000
- Entry-level
- $75,000
- Senior
- $140,000
- Growth by 2033
- 5%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $100,000 - $200,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Organic Synthesis
- Spectroscopy
- Chromatography
- Data Analysis
- Laboratory Techniques
Soft skills
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
- Time Management
Technical complexity: Very High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Doctoral or Professional Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 7
- Years to senior
- 12
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Research Scientist
- Senior Research Scientist
- Principal Scientist
- Research Director
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 8.5/10
- Social perception
- High