Fragrance chemist
Also known as: fragrance product developer, fragrancer, development engineer formulation chemist, flavorist, perfume formulator, fragrance development chemist
About this occupation
Fragrance chemists develop and improve fragrance chemicals by formulating, testing and analysing fragrances and their ingredients so that the end product meets the expectations and the needs of customers.
A specialisation of chemist.
Essential skills and knowledge
- research fragrances
- write specifications
- check quality of raw materials
- decide on fragrance titles
- calibrate laboratory equipment
- analytical chemistry
- cosmetics industry
- use chemical analysis equipment
- good manufacturing practices
- run laboratory simulations
- document analysis results
- manage chemical testing procedures
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Chemical Engineers (O*NET 17-2041.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- Design and plan layout of equipment.
- Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Science, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making
US median pay: US$125,040 a year (2025), 21,070 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryExtremely important (4.7)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.3)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.0)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (4.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Materials Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Materials Scientists
- Chemists
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Industrial Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Nuclear Engineers
- Mechatronics Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.