Also called: Forensic Scientist (Drug Chemistry), Crime Lab Chemist
Analyzes drugs, fibers, paint, and fire debris from crime scenes.
You identify a powder seized by police using mass spectrometry, document every step, and sometimes testify in court about your results.
Based on forensic science technicians; chemists in crime labs often earn toward the higher end.
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 forensic science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Forensic Science.
Growing much faster than average (about 13% over 10 years).
Medium risk for 10 years. Instruments and AI identify common drugs fast; the analyst who confirms results and testifies stays required.
Classes: AP Chemistry, Statistics, Algebra II.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4092.
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.