Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
A bachelors degree in chemistry or a related discipline is the minimum educational requirement; however, many research jobs require a masters degree, or more often a Ph.D. Slower-than-average growth in employment is projected. Job growth will be concentrated in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies and in professional, scientific, and technical services firms. Graduates with a bachelors degree will have opportunities at smaller research organizations; those with a masters degree, and particularly those with a Ph.D., will enjoy better opportunities at larger pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms.
On average, Materials Scientists earn $ 74,610 per year.
Job Opportunities for Materials Scientists are expected to:
Increase slower than average.
Everything in the environment, whether naturally occurring or of human design, is composed of chemicals. Chemists and materials scientists search for and use new knowledge about chemicals. Chemical research has led to the discovery and development of new and improved synthetic fibers, paints, adhesives, drugs, cosmetics, electronic components, lubricants, and thousands of other products. Chemists and materials scientists also develop processes such as improved oil refining and petrochemical processing that save energy and reduce pollution.
A bachelors degree in chemistry or a related discipline is the minimum educational requirement; however, many research jobs require a masters degree or, more often, a Ph.D.
Chemists and materials scientists held about 93,000 jobs in 2006. Chemists accounted for about 84,000 of these, while materials scientists accounted for about 9,700 jobs. In addition, many chemists and materials scientists held faculty positions in colleges and universities but are not included in these numbers.
