Also called: Fragrance Chemist, Nose
Designs scents for perfumes, shampoos, candles, and laundry detergents.
You memorize thousands of smells, then blend dozens of ingredients to match a brief like 'a beach at sunset.' Most perfumers work for big fragrance companies in New York or New Jersey.
Very wide range; star perfumers earn far more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 10 years after high school. Usually a chemistry degree plus years of training at a fragrance house or perfumery school.
Ways in: 4-year college, Apprenticeship. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Cosmetic Science.
Growing about average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Low risk for 10 years. AI can propose scent blends, but a trained nose and creative judgment still make the final call.
Classes: AP Chemistry, Art, French.
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.