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Occupation Profile

Selected Criteria:
Occupation:	Chemists	Change Occupation
State:	Colorado	Change State
Profile Content:	(content listed below)	Modify Profile Content
Wages \| Employment Trends \| Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities \| Tasks & Activities Tools & Technology \| Education & Training \| Related Occupations Web Resources

CHEMISTS: COLORADO

Occupation Description

Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or chemical experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge. Exclude "Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers" and "Biochemists and Biophysicists".

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State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2008
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$18.19	$23.38	$31.84	$43.11	$54.37
United States	Yearly	$37,800	$48,600	$66,200	$89,700	$113,100
Colorado	Hourly	$18.56	$25.54	$34.61	$47.29	$60.37
Colorado	Yearly	$38,600	$53,100	$72,000	$98,400	$125,600

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Colorado Wage Information

State and National Trends

United States	Employment		Percent Change	Job Openings ¹
United States	2008	2018	Percent Change	Job Openings ¹
Chemists	84,400	86,400	+2%	3,000
Colorado	Employment		Percent Change	Job Openings ¹
Colorado	2006	2016	Percent Change	Job Openings ¹
Chemists	1,740	2,080	+19%	80

¹Job Openings refers to the average annual job openings due to growth and net replacement.

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: Colorado Department of Labor & Employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Chemists.

Knowledge:

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.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Skills:

Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities:

Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Chemists.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Chemists.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

Analyze organic and inorganic compounds to determine chemical and physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, and reactions, utilizing chromatography, spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry techniques.
Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency and to diagnose malfunctions.
Conduct quality control tests.
Confer with scientists and engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
Develop, improve, and customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, and analytical methods.
Direct, coordinate, and advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components and physical properties of materials.
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, and chemical catalysts for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
Prepare test solutions, compounds, and reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct test.
Study effects of various methods of processing, preserving, and packaging on composition and properties of foods.
Write technical papers and reports and prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.

Generalized Work Activities:

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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.
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Detailed Work Activities:

adhere to safety procedures
advise clients or customers
advise governmental or industrial personnel
analyze chemical experimental, test, or analysis data or findings
analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
analyze test data
analyze test information to determine equipment operating efficiency
assign work to staff or employees
classify plants, animals, or other natural phenomena
collect scientific or technical data
collect statistical data
communicate technical information
conduct analyses or tests of organic compounds
conduct laboratory research or experiments
conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses
conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses
confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
confer with research personnel
confer with scientists
design equipment, apparatus, or instruments for scientific research
design manufacturing processes or methods
develop new chemical processing techniques or formulas
develop new products based on scientific research results
develop or maintain databases
develop plans for programs or projects
develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
develop scientific or mathematical hypotheses, theories, or laws
develop tables depicting data
direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
direct implementation of new procedures, policies, or programs
evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
explain complex mathematical information
follow safe waste disposal procedures
forecast or predict phenomena based upon research data
identify nutritional value of foods
maintain records, reports, or files
make decisions
make presentations
mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
monitor the chemical action of substances
operate industrial or nondestructive testing equipment
operate specialized equipment in chemical laboratory
perform statistical analysis in physical science or geological research
plan scientific research or investigative studies
prepare reports
prepare technical reports or related documentation
present research papers or dissertations on physical science issues
recommend further study or action based on research data
record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
resolve engineering or science problems
supervise pollution control workers
understand properties of gases or liquids
use chemical processing emergency procedures
use chemical testing or analysis procedures
use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
use government regulations
use hazardous materials information
use interpersonal communication techniques
use knowledge of investigation techniques
use knowledge of metric system
use laboratory equipment
use library or online Internet research techniques
use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
use nutrition research techniques
use oral or written communication techniques
use physical science research techniques
use pollution control techniques
use quantitative research methods
use relational database software
use scientific research methodology
use spreadsheet software
use statistics in food research
use word processing or desktop publishing software
write business project or bid proposals
write research or project grant proposals
write scholarly or technical research papers

Source: Occupational Information Network: Chemists.

Tools and Technology

Chemists View Detailed Report

Tools:

Analytical balances - Analytical balances, Magnetic susceptibility balances
Benchtop centrifuges - Chemical centrifuges, High-speed centrifuges, Tabletop centrifuges
Calorimeters - Differential scanning calorimeters, Oxygen bomb calorimeters
Lasers - Diode lasers, Dye lasers, Helium-cadmium lasers, Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Nd:YAG lasers, Nitrogen lasers
Spectrometers - Luminescence spectrometers, Spectrometers, Ultraviolet-visible spectrometers

Technology:

Analytical or scientific software - Accelrys Cerius2, Accelrys DeCipher, Advanced Chemistry Development ACD/1D nuclear magnetic resonance NMR processor, Agilent ChemStation, Chem2Pac software
Computer aided design CAD software - ChemInnovation Software Chem 4-D, ChemSW Molecular Modeling Pro, Hypercube HyperChem
Data base user interface and query software - ChemSW Buffer Maker, JDA Arthur KnowledgeBase database, LabTrack Electronic Lab Notebook, Logger software, Microsoft Access
Graphics or photo imaging software - Digital imaging software, Graphics software, MolDraw
Inventory management software - ChemSW Chemical Inventory System CIS, ItemTracker software, UBI Biotracker

Source: Occupational Information Network: Chemists.

Education and Training

Occupation: Chemists
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Bachelor's degree
Related Instructional Programs:

Analytical Chemistry
Chemical Physics
Chemistry, General
Chemistry, Other
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry

Distribution of Educational Attainment

Occupation	Percent of employees aged 25 to 44 in the occupation whose highest level of educational attainment is
Occupation	Less than high school diploma	High school diploma or equivalent	Some college, no degree	Associate's degree	Bachelor's degree	Master's degree	Doctoral or professional degree
Chemists	0.2%	0.7%	3.7%	3.3%	52.4%	20.7%	19%
Physical Scientists	0.2%	0.5%	3.8%	2.8%	39.5%	26.7%	26.5%
Life, Physical, and Social Science	1%	5.7%	9%	5.3%	33.9%	25%	20%
Total, All Occupations	10.7%	27.6%	20.6%	8.9%	19.4%	8.3%	4.5%

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WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://lmigateway.coworkforce.com/lmigateway/altentry.asp?action=indgues

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

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