Analytical chemist : Salary and conditions

• Range of typical starting salaries: £14,000 - £20,000. Those entering with a PhD may start on higher salaries.
• Salaries with experience or at a more senior level vary but typically range from £24,000 - £35,000. Senior analytical chemists with management responsibilities could earn over £50,000 when they have built up extensive experience.
• Salaries vary depending upon the employer, geographical location and the employer’s primary business. Benefits also differ according to the employer, but free or subsidised medical insurance is common.
• The working hours are usually nine to five, possibly with some extra hours required depending upon the workload and sample schedule.
• Working in multidisciplinary teams is common, as is communicating with scientists and customers from both within and outside the company.
• At more junior levels, staff are likely to be predominantly lab-based, whereas staff at more senior levels are increasingly office-based.
• Self-employment is very unlikely due to the significant financial investment in equipment and staffing, plus the need for accreditation. There are opportunities for freelance consultancy work, although large companies tend to have their own experts.
• Part-time work and career breaks may be possible.
• Jobs are widely available throughout the country and tend to be in large, localised centres. Research and development (R&D) work can be more commonly found in south England.
• Work may occasionally be stressful due to tight deadlines and pressure to solve problems as quickly as possible. Routine analysis may involve doing the same job for long periods of time, although this is less likely at more senior levels.
• Typically, travel within a working day and absence from home overnight are not that common. Overseas travel is rare, although secondments abroad may be possible at higher grades.

Salary figures are intended as a guide only.