Chemists

Chemists score 38 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #439 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 13 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 8 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 3 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

38/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #439of 923 jobs
US workers: 82,770BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $91,240a year
In real AI use: 3 of 13tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (8%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 8 (62%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 4 (31%)

Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Study effects of various methods of processing, preserving, or packaging on composition or properties of foods.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Conduct quality control tests.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about chemists and AI

Will AI replace chemists?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Chemists score 38 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #439 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 9 of the job's 13 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 4 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which chemists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests".

Which chemists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Conduct quality control tests"; "Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed"; "Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 3 of the 13 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as chemists, and what do they earn?

About 82,770 people in the US, with median pay of $91,240 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.