But there were clouds on the horizon. The story raised the question of the relevance of these studies to what would be in store for chemists in 2002 in light of the sudden and, at that time, recent end to the longest and strongest economic boom in U.S. history, one that had begun in 1993.

It turns out that these studies were largely irrelevant to the 2002 job market for chemists. The unemployment rate for chemists rose sharply in 2002.

According to the American Chemical Society's 2002 survey of the salary and employment status of its members in the domestic workforce (C&EN, Aug. 5, page 37), 3.3% of them were unemployed but seeking employment as of March 1 of this year. This is the highest rate measured since ACS started surveying its members on an annual and fairly consistent basis more than 30 years ago.

And it is up starkly from the 1.5% unemployment rate measured as of March 1, 2001 (C&EN, Aug. 20, 2001, page 51)--which was the lowest rate in a decade.

In terms of salaries, the data are considerably more positive. According to the 2002 salary and employment survey, the median base salary of ACS chemist members with full-time jobs in the domestic workforce as of March 1 this year was $76,500, almost 5% higher than it was a year earlier. Chemists at all three degree levels posted sizable gains.

The story for relatively new chemistry graduates is also quite good--as far as it goes. The data, on what may well be a rapidly changing situation, are now one year old.

According to ACS's latest starting salary survey for new chemistry graduates (C&EN, March 18, page 51), the median full-time salary for 2000–01 chemistry Ph.D. graduates, as of the week of Oct. 8, 2001, was $70,000. This was 8% higher than the $65,000 posted by the year-earlier class. The master's class did almost as well with about a 7% year-to-year gain, from $45,000 to $48,000. The median for new 2000–01 bachelor's graduates, $33,600, was down slightly from the year-earlier $34,000 for the 1999–2000 class.

This year's survey is just getting under way. It will measure the salaries and employment status of 2001–02 chemistry graduates as of the week of Oct. 7, 2002, and may tell a different tale. C&EN will report on its findings next year.

The bottom line on all of this is that the employment market for chemists deteriorated sharply over the past year or so. But for chemists already in the workforce, the salary situation remained quite strong with what may turn out to have been one last year of good gains.

GO TO

INTRODUCTION - EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK 2003

DEMAND

The year ahead is shaping up as even tougher than this one for those seeking employment in most fields of chemistry. Jobs are available, but the hunt is likely to be long and arduous.

WANTED
Scientists Needed To Help Secure The Homeland

BEYOND GRAD SCHOOL
When Jobs Are Scarce, Some Seek Postdocs

SALARIES & EMPLOYMENT

The unemployment rate for chemists climbed to 3.3% in 2002, the highest rate measured in more than 30 years' worth of ACS surveys. But for chemists already in the workforce, the salary situation remained quite strong.

WORKFORCE
Societies Look At Changing The Face Of Science & Engineering

THE INTERVIEW

Seasoned chemical industry recruiters describe what works and what does not, plus a list of tips for the interviewee.

HEALTH INSURANCE

What employees need to know about ensuring continued coverage when their employment status changes.

CAREER-PLANNING RESOURCES

A guide to sources of job and career information well suited to chemical scientists seeking industrial, academic, or government positions or looking to change careers. Some of the most comprehensive resources can be found at the American Chemical Society.

Chemical & Engineering News
Copyright © 2002 American Chemical Society