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Interested in a field of science that has an incredibly broad range of applications, from food safety to pollution control? Do you have a knack not just for chemistry but also for analysis using computers, specialized lab equipment, and statistics? Analytical chemistry makes contributions to an impressively wide array of scientific fields in an even broader array of industries, and those who specialize in it learn a valuable skill set that will suit them in numerous careers. Few specialties in the field of chemistry provide you with as many employment opportunities as analytical chemistry.

According to the American Chemical Society¹, a long-standing professional trade organization, analytical chemistry “is the science of obtaining, processing, and communicating information about the composition and structure of matter. In other words, it is the art and science of determining what matter is and how much of it exists.” The ACS also notes it is one of the most popular fields in chemistry.

The Skill Set of an Analytical Chemist

While the range of jobs that those with a degree in analytical chemistry can perform is quite broad, most require a similar set of talents and interests. Chemists plan and carry out research projects, including developing and perfecting testing methods. They need perseverance to persist in the trial-and-error demands of research, and must be self-motivated to avoid becoming discouraged. They often collaborate with physicists, microbiologists, engineers, and other scientists, and frequently use computers and highly technical lab equipment.

The ACS notes that “automation has decreased the demand for analytical chemists to conduct routine analysis.…Employers tend to recruit analytical chemists who know how to use the increasingly sophisticated instruments used in today’s laboratories. They also value experience in specific types of analysis (e.g., food, environmental, forensics).”

In short, the primary job of an analytical chemist lies in the title: analysis. They figure out the building blocks of matter itself and apply that knowledge to countless fields in industry, academia, and the government.

In general, analytical chemists should be adept at:

• Qualitative and quantitative analysis
• Interpreting data
• Communication and collaboration
• Math and computer skills
• Technical/lab skills
• Organizational and time management skills

Potential Analytical Chemistry Careers

Analytical chemists have an incredibly broad range of opportunities across a wide array of industries. Jobs range from ensuring the safety of food, pharmaceuticals, and water, to helping physicians or microbiologists diagnose diseases, to providing scientific data that facilitates trade and commerce.

According to the ACS, “today’s sophisticated instrumentation devices—as well as increasing regulatory requirements—have created new opportunities for analytical chemists in a variety of areas.” Those include quality assurance and control specialists, who ensure laboratory procedures. Government agencies need analytical chemists to verify regulatory compliance. And analytical chemists with an entrepreneurial spirit can create businesses specializing in particular kinds of analyses or compounds.

It would be difficult to list all of the professions that one unlocks with a degree in analytical chemistry, but what follows is a sampling, along with their median 2023 salaries according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most have a projected growth rate over the next decade of at least 6 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics², which is twice the average (3 percent) growth rate for all occupations nationwide.

• Chemist—$87,000
• Nuclear medicine technologist—$92,500
• Environmental scientist or specialist—$79,000
• Natural science manager—$148,000
• Medical or clinical laboratory technologist—$61,000
• Quality control analyst—$59,000

It’s also worth breaking down salaries by industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics³, the median annual salary for chemists by industry are:

• Federal government, excluding postal service—$128,020
• Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences—$103,130
• Chemical manufacturing—$80,840
• Testing laboratories—$63,730
• Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services—$60,630

Is a Master's in Analytical Chemistry Needed?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics⁴, specializing in a subfield of chemistry, such as analytical chemistry, requires a master’s degree. Additionally, those with higher degrees are more qualified to lead research teams and projects. 

Analytical Chemistry at �糵����’s Only Tech-Focused University

A degree in analytical chemistry is a great way to get a job after graduation. Illinois Institute of Technology, �糵����’s only tech-focused university, is ranked #1 in Illinois in the 2024 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings, which heavily weighed graduate return on investment and ability to find employment and #16 in salary impact. In short, a degree in analytical chemistry from Illinois Tech will maximize your chances for a successful, high-paying career.

Illinois Tech’s master’s degree program in analytical chemistry, offered through the Lewis College of Science and Letters, focuses on the intersection of technology and real-world science. It is taught by professors with real-world experience in the field who understand the crucial difference between academic research and industrial research.

The program also offers flexibility for working professionals, including a part-time online program designed for professional chemists.

If you’re interested in examining Illinois Tech’s analytical chemistry program, you can request information.

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