Chemists
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
How AI Impacts Each Task
13 tasks analyzed
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
Conduct quality control tests.
Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.
Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.
Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date.
Study effects of various methods of processing, preserving, or packaging on composition or properties of foods.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques. | 51.78Observed | 47.7% | 15% | |
| Conduct quality control tests. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 15% | |
| Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed. | 15Estimated | 15.0% | 8% | |
| Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 10% | |
| Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis. | 60.9Observed | 51.4% | 10% | |
| Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 8% | |
| Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests. | 56.73Observed | 37.7% | 6% | |
| Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 5% | |
| Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Study effects of various methods of processing, preserving, or packaging on composition or properties of foods. | 59.72Observed | 50.9% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Chemists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
Machine Learning Specialization
by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Design Patterns in C# and .NET
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsAdvertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Biochemical Engineers
31%Median salary: $117,750
Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Biological Technicians
37%Median salary: $52,000
Higher risk than 73% of other occupations
Chemical Technicians
36%Median salary: $57,790
Higher risk than 69% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
33%Higher risk than 55% of other occupations
Forensic Science Technicians
30%Median salary: $67,440
Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Geological Sample Test Technicians
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Materials Engineers
32%Median salary: $108,310
Higher risk than 49% of other occupations
Materials Scientists
34%Median salary: $104,160
Higher risk than 63% of other occupations
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Validation Engineers
38%Median salary: $117,750
Higher risk than 74% of other occupations
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
J&J Sees AI Halving the Time to Generate Drug Development Leads
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson expects artificial intelligence to cut the early stages of drug discovery timelines by 50%. This massive efficiency gain will fundamentally shift the daily workflows of pharmaceutical researchers.
DeepMind Spinoff's AI-Designed Drugs Enter Trials, Shifting Pharma Roles
Isomorphic Labs is moving its AI-generated medicines into human testing, signaling a major shift in pharmaceutical R&D. This milestone suggests traditional drug discovery roles may rapidly evolve toward AI-assisted pipeline management.
Merck partners with Google Cloud to integrate AI across its workforce
The pharmaceutical giant is teaming up with Google to deploy enterprise AI tools across its operations. This integration will likely shift daily workflows for Merck's research and administrative staff as they adopt new cloud-based AI systems.
AI Drug Discovery Boom Creates New Demand for Molecule Analysts
10x Science secured $4.8M to help pharmaceutical researchers filter through the massive volume of AI-generated molecules. This highlights a growing niche where human expertise is needed to validate and manage AI outputs rather than generate them.
AI Reshapes Beauty Industry R&D and Customer Service Roles
Cosmetic companies are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence in research and development labs, shifting how new products are formulated. The technology is also automating consumer-facing consultations, altering traditional retail beauty roles.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis