Skip to main content
AskVantage
US job code 19-2031High change by 2035

Chemists

Machines can already do 32% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 69%. The job changes before it disappears.

See It For Your CountryWatch This Job

Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205032%Half: 2032

Chemists in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 32% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 26% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 69% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 82,770 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $91,240 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 66% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Air Quality Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Chemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist), Chemist.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
32%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
69%half the tasks by 2032
US median pay
$91,240a year, May 2025
US jobs
83k82,770 people
Contact with people
66%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques21%
30% to 75%
Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods16%
20% to 60%
Conduct quality control tests13%
30% to 75%
Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests12%
60% to 90%
Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions7%
48% to 78%
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis6%
20% to 60%
Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed6%
3% to 30%
Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests6%
20% to 60%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills chemists use most, most used first.

Learning aptitude and mindsetProfessionalism and work ethicCreative and innovative thinkingResearch methodsCommunicationMoral intelligence and integrityAnalysis and dataOperations and processIT and softwareCritical thinking and problem solvingSelf-managementManagementProduction and makingAdaptability and resilienceEntrepreneurial mindset

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.

  • Watch This Job

    Get told when the outlook for this job changes.

    Free plan

  • Skills to learn next

    The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.

    In the Starburst

  • Check your readiness

    Ten quick questions on how ready you are.

    Free

  • Ask Vantage

    Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.

    Free to ask

  • Futures Academy courses

    Courses matched to your gaps.

    Coming soon

  • Pay trend

    Where pay for this job is heading.

    Coming soon

  • Team plan

    Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.

    Pro and Corporate

  • Shared workspace

    Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.

    Pro and Corporate
Open In The StarburstCheck My Readiness

Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Chemists?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of chemists?

Machines can do 32% of the tasks of chemists today and 69% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-2031.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Chemists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/chemists/