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Drug Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Trains chemistry staff as needed. * Writes and revises SOPs as requested by management. * Performs ... Position requires pre-placement drug screen/ physical and background check. EO Employer E-verify ...

Analytical Chemist

Ottawa, IL · On-site

$50K - $70K/yr

Analytical Chemist - OTC & Personal Care Department: Research & Development Location: Ottawa, IL ... Develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods for OTC drug products, active pharmaceutical ...

Senior Computational Chemist

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$106K - $176K/yr

MLCS supports medicinal chemistry and drug design teams by enabling data-driven decision making, scalable cheminformatics platforms, and impactful scientific applications across the discovery ...

Senior Computational Chemist

La Jolla, CA · On-site +1

$106K - $176K/yr

MLCS supports medicinal chemistry and drug design teams by enabling data-driven decision making, scalable cheminformatics platforms, and impactful scientific applications across the discovery ...

$77K - $100K/yr

... chemistry instrumentation for the department head and faculty of the Department of Systems ... This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon ...

Chemist I

Dugway, UT · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Ability to comply with mandatory drug testing requirements in accordance with Battelle's drug-free ... Master's degree in chemistry, other physical science, or engineering, or an equivalent combination ...

Perform accurate and timely analysis of in-process, release, and stability samples for drug ... HPLC, GC, dissolution, wet chemistry) Excellent oral and written communication skills Strong ...

Chemist I

Dugway, UT · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Ability to comply with mandatory drug testing requirements in accordance with Battelle's drug-free ... Master's degree in chemistry, other physical science, or engineering, or an equivalent combination ...

Chemist

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Chemist Minimum Qualifications Summary Certification & Education * Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) in ... Analyze antiretroviral and antimicrobial drug distribution in specimens. * Calibrate and maintain ...

Chemist Minimum Qualifications Summary Certification amp; Education * Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) in ... Analyze antiretroviral and antimicrobial drug distribution in specimens. * Calibrate and maintain ...

Our Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate Drug (ABCD) platform merges the fields of protein engineering, organic chemistry, and polymer chemistry and is at the core of our discovery engine. We are seeking a ...

Analytical Chemist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

Our core competencies include drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), safety and toxicology, bioanalytical services, chemistry and manufacturing controls for drug development ...

Our Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate Drug (ABCD) platform merges the fields of protein engineering, organic chemistry, and polymer chemistry and is at the core of our discovery engine. We are seeking a ...

Showing results 21-40

Drug Chemist information

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How much do drug chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for drug chemist in the United States is $30.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drug chemist?

To thrive as a Drug Chemist, you need a solid background in chemistry, analytical techniques, and pharmaceutical sciences, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemistry or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation such as HPLC, GC-MS, and compliance with regulatory standards like GLP or GMP is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help drug chemists ensure accuracy and work collaboratively in lab environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing safe, effective drugs and maintaining rigorous quality control throughout the drug development process.

What are some common challenges faced by drug chemists in a forensic laboratory setting?

Drug chemists often encounter challenges such as handling a high volume of casework, ensuring the accurate identification of complex or emerging substances, and maintaining strict chain-of-custody protocols for evidence. Working in a forensic lab also requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to quality control standards to ensure results are legally defensible. Collaboration with law enforcement officers and attorneys is common, and drug chemists must be prepared to provide expert testimony in court regarding their analytical findings.

What is the difference between Drug Chemist vs Pharmaceutical Scientist?

AspectDrug ChemistPharmaceutical Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Pharmacy, Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, manufacturing plantsResearch labs, development centers, manufacturing settings
Industry UsageDeveloping and testing drugs, quality controlFormulating, testing, and improving pharmaceutical products

Both Drug Chemists and Pharmaceutical Scientists work in laboratory settings within the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on drug development and testing. While their roles overlap in chemistry and lab work, Drug Chemists often concentrate on chemical analysis and quality control, whereas Pharmaceutical Scientists focus on formulation and product development. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the pharmaceutical field.

How do I become a drug chemist?

To become a drug chemist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field. Advanced roles often require a master's or doctoral degree, along with laboratory experience and knowledge of analytical techniques such as chromatography and spectroscopy. Certification or training in Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) can also enhance job prospects.

How much does a drug chemist make?

A drug chemist typically earns a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Salaries can vary based on the industry, level of expertise, and whether they work in research, development, or quality control environments.

What does a drug chemist do?

A drug chemist researches, develops, and tests pharmaceutical compounds to ensure their safety, efficacy, and quality. They analyze chemical properties, synthesize new drugs, and work in laboratories using techniques like chromatography and spectroscopy, often requiring specialized knowledge and certifications. Their work supports the creation of medications used in healthcare.
More about Drug Chemist jobs

What cities are hiring for Drug Chemist jobs?

Cities with the most Drug Chemist job openings:

What states have the most Drug Chemist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Drug Chemist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Drug Chemist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $64,466 per year, or $31 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Carry out routine day-to-day quality control testing of Water, Raw Materials, Bulk, Finished Products and Stability samples in the Quality Control Laboratory. Perform routine chemical testing by such means as HPLC, GC, FTIR, UV Spectrophotometry, Titrations and other physical and chemical techniques. Review note books and generate test data reports. Write and revise SOPs. Prepare protocols, perform testing for special investigations and write scientific reports.
  • Performs routine laboratory testing of raw materials, bulk products, finished products and stability samples.
  • Performs routine chemical testing by such means as HPLC, GC, FTIR, UV Spectrophotometry, Titrations and other physical and chemical techniques.
  • Assists QC staff in determining whether or not client products meet release and stability specifications.
  • Performs instrument calibration.
  • Writes scientific reports, prepares protocols, and generates analytical test data reports.
  • Implements new chemical testing procedures as needed.
  • Trains chemistry staff as needed.
  • Writes and revises SOPs as requested by management.
  • Performs laboratory cleanup.
  • Troubleshoots analytical equipment and methods.
  • Makes recommendations that may impact the QC Department.
  • Reviews notebooks and test data.
  • Occasionally contacts outside suppliers and contract labs.
  • All other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Must have 1-2 years experience in analytical chemistry. Knowledge of equipment, supplies, components, and technical areas that are utilized in the chemical laboratory, i.e. HPLC, UV-VIS, balance, FT-IR, GC, pH meter, viscometer, etc.
Requires a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Position requires pre-placement drug screen/ physical and background check.
EO Employer
E-verify Participant.

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About Cedent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

CEDENT strives to attract and retain the best people and provide an environment where they can all develop professionally and build a rewarding career. As a result, we create an inclusive environment that is rich in diversity, acknowledges each individual's uniqueness and promotes respect, personal achievement and stewardship. Our clients are global and so is CEDENT. We build and maintain a global workforce that includes people from different backgrounds, with a vast range of skills and experience all united by a common culture and commitment to help our clients achieve high performance. Cultivating a diverse workforce and inclusive work environment makes business sense. Our peoples varied skills are the talent engine that powers CEDENT, enabling it in turn to deliver the innovative solutions that help our clients outperform competitors.

Industry

It services

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Plano, TX, US

Year founded

2008