Chemists vs Materials Scientists: $91K vs $118K Median Pay

Chemists vs Materials Scientists: what changes?

Consider Chemists if you want to conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge. Consider Materials Scientists if you would rather research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Chemists and Materials Scientists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Chemists

National median pay (2025): $91,240
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 5,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Chemists brief

Materials Scientists

National median pay (2025): $117,790
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 600

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (8,600 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Materials Scientists brief

How the national numbers differ

Chemists has the edge on annual openings

Chemists is at 5,900 annual openings, compared with 600 annual openings for Materials Scientists.

Materials Scientists has the edge on median pay

Materials Scientists is at $117,790, compared with $91,240 for Chemists.

Materials Scientists has the edge on projected growth

Materials Scientists is at 8.3% projected growth, compared with 6.4% projected growth for Chemists.

64.2/ 100

Chemists

56/ 100

Materials Scientists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence