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Approximately 60% of chemists are employed in the chemical industry, where they are responsible for developing plastics, synthetic fibers, pharmaceuticals, food products and flavorings, agricultural and chemical cosmetics, fragrances, detergents and adhesives.
Chemists are also employed at government laboratories (federal, state and local) performing such tasks as monitoring and protecting the environment, testing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, and providing basic research support for industry.
In the field of education, chemists with a Master's degree in education may teach high school. Those with an advanced degree in Chemistry (usually a Ph.D.) may teach at the college or university level.
Clinical laboratories employ chemists to analyze body tissues and fluids to provide medical doctors with diagnostic information.
A degree in chemistry also provides a solid background for many other occupations. With further education, a chemist may become a medical doctor, a dentist or an attorney (patent or environmental law). The growing fields of forensic chemistry, food science, metallurgy and technical writing also present employment opportunities. A chemist may also elect to combine an interest in business with their technical knowledge and work their way into sales or management positions.