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Chemical engineers

How to become an Analytical Chemist

Also called: Inorganic chemical analysis technician, Organic chemical analysis technician

Analyses substances using chemical reactions and analytical instruments to find out what they contain and how much.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say university or a master's degree is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualification is required to start, but many people are graduates of science or engineering courses at senmon gakko (vocational colleges) or universities. There is also mid-career recruitment. When hiring, employers look at basic ability and knowledge in subjects such as chemistry, and judgement. After joining, you first learn analytical techniques by assisting experienced staff, and build your skills through practice. You study analysis methods based on different principles, master them one by one through experiments, and take part in courses to improve your skills. It takes more than 10 years of experience to analyse many kinds of substances, gain practical strength and become a veteran who can design suitable methods for clients' advanced analysis needs. Analysis results must be reliable, so analytical chemists' skills now need third-party assessment, such as accreditation of testing laboratories. This requires regular staff training and taking part in proficiency tests run by outside bodies. A related qualification is the chemical analysis technician grade of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Holding qualifications such as environmental measurer or environmental measurement analyst also widens the work you can do. You need to take responsibility for your results, with accurate and quick judgement, attention, patience and a methodical approach.

Ways in

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Analytical Chemist?

No particular education or qualification is required to start, but many people are graduates of science or engineering courses at senmon gakko (vocational colleges) or universities. There is also mid-career recruitment. When hiring, employers look at basic ability and knowledge in subjects such as chemistry, and judgement. After joining, you first learn analytical techniques by assisting experienced staff, and build your skills through practice. You study analysis methods based on different principles, master them one by one through experiments, and take part in courses to improve your skills. It takes more than 10 years of experience to analyse many kinds of substances, gain practical strength and become a veteran who can design suitable methods for clients' advanced analysis needs. Analysis results must be reliable, so analytical chemists' skills now need third-party assessment, such as accreditation of testing laboratories. This requires regular staff training and taking part in proficiency tests run by outside bodies. A related qualification is the chemical analysis technician grade of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Holding qualifications such as environmental measurer or environmental measurement analyst also widens the work you can do. You need to take responsibility for your results, with accurate and quick judgement, attention, patience and a methodical approach.

How much does an Analytical Chemist earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥6,417,300 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Chemical engineers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become an Analytical Chemist?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 81% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of an Analytical Chemist?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026