Also called: Solvent Extraction Chemist, Rare Earth Process Chemist
Runs and improves the long chains of mixing tanks that separate 17 nearly identical rare earth metals used in magnets for EVs, wind turbines and missiles.
You check the lab results from a line of hundreds of tanks where chemicals pull neodymium away from its look-alike neighbors. One stage is drifting, so you adjust acid strength and flow. In the afternoon you test a cheaper method in the pilot lab.
Estimated from rare earth producer and national lab postings.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in chemistry or chemical engineering; a master's helps.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering.
Growing much faster than average. The US is building rare earth processing to depend less on China.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI helps tune processes, but running separations and solving plant chemistry problems stays human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, Physics, Algebra 2.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.