How to Make 6 Figures As A Chemist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 9th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a Chemist? Good for you! Being a Chemist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a Chemist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way for a Chemist to supplement their income and eventually make six figures. As a career coach, you could offer personalized guidance and support to help other professionals navigate their career transitions and growth opportunities, drawing on your unique expertise and experience in the field of Chemistry.

You could design custom sessions to assist clients with resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, tailoring each meeting to their specific aspirations. By providing specialized advice and accountability, you could help your clients achieve significant breakthroughs, all while setting your own schedule and enjoying the flexibility of either in-person or virtual meetings.

Launching this type of practice could capitalize on your motivational abilities and human resources skills, making it an ideal side business for entrepreneurial-minded Chemists. With dedication and effective marketing, building a substantial client base could pave the way for you to eventually achieve a six-figure income through coaching.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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2. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an ecommerce store could significantly supplement your income as a chemist by leveraging your specialized knowledge to create and sell unique products online. With lower overhead costs and a wider reach compared to brick-and-mortar businesses, eCommerce allows you to tap into a global market, increasing the potential for higher earnings.

For example, you could develop and sell chemistry-related kits, lab supplies, or educational resources, which allows you to capitalize on your expertise while meeting consumer demand for convenient, high-quality products. Additionally, the booming eCommerce industry offers incredible flexibility, allowing you to manage your online store part-time while still maintaining your primary job as a chemist.

By focusing on niche markets where your professional knowledge gives you a competitive edge, you could build a lucrative side business that can help you reach six figures.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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3. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could offer you a lucrative way to supplement your income as a chemist while utilizing your analytical skills in a creative domain. This venture could help you clear your utility bills, finance further education, or save for a vacation without a significant time commitment, thanks to the automation tools available in social media marketing.

You could develop effective social media strategies and serve your clients efficiently, making use of the organizational and problem-solving skills you've honed in your chemistry career. Building an agency portfolio to showcase your services will help attract potential clients, allowing you to grow your business and potentially earn a six-figure income. This entrepreneurial approach enables you to enjoy the benefits of a dual career, combining your passion for chemistry with the dynamic world of social media marketing.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

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4. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could offer an innovative avenue to make six figures as a Chemist by allowing you to share your expertise and passions with a wider audience. By choosing a niche within chemistry, such as cutting-edge chemical research or practical applications in daily life, you could attract a dedicated listener base that values your specialized knowledge.

With affordable equipment and hosting platforms available, the initial investment is minimal. As your audience grows, you could monetize the podcast through sponsorships, advertising, or even exclusive content subscriptions, turning your side project into a significant income stream.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

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5. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

Starting a social media influencer career could significantly supplement your income as a Chemist and pave the way to making six figures. By leveraging platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, you could share your chemistry knowledge and passion with a large audience, attracting brands seeking to connect with that target demographic. As you establish credibility, you would likely see opportunities for sponsorships, partnerships, and even paid content creation.

Your expertise in the field can set you apart, allowing you to tap into niches such as educational content, practical chemistry tips, or lab equipment reviews. By strategically growing your following, you could turn this side hustle into a lucrative venture that complements your primary career. With dedication and an effective content strategy, becoming a social media influencer could open doors to six-figure earnings.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

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6. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Creating and selling an online course could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a chemist. By identifying specific educational gaps in your field, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials tailored to meet the needs of students and professionals eager to learn. With the right blend of specialized content and practical knowledge, your online course could attract a dedicated student base.

An online course business offers flexibility in structure, allowing for self-paced or cohort-based learning models. This adaptability can help you generate passive income with relatively low startup costs. For those who enjoy sharing their expertise, launching an online course could not only be financially rewarding but also a fulfilling way to contribute to the educational growth of eager lifelong learners.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

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7. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Starting an affiliate marketer business could provide a lucrative side income for a chemist, potentially helping you achieve a six-figure salary. By promoting products or services relevant to your field, such as lab equipment, scientific software, or education courses, you could leverage your expertise to attract a targeted audience.

This venture is low-cost and requires minimal upfront investment since you don't need to create or stock products. With your specialized knowledge, you could effectively drive traffic and sales, earning commissions for each successful referral, all while continuing your primary career in chemistry.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

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8. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a Chemist or even to build an entirely new business. By sharing your expertise and insights in chemistry, you could attract a substantial audience, considering that 77% of internet users read blogs and blogs are rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of information.

To maximize your blog's potential, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content and establish a consistent posting schedule. Build a mailing list to keep your audience updated and grow your reach. With dedication and smart monetization strategies like affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or selling digital products, you could potentially turn this creative outlet into a six-figure business.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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9. Digital products ($261K/month)

Creating digital products could significantly boost your income as a chemist, opening the door to achieving a six-figure salary. With your expertise, you could develop information-based products like eBooks, online courses, or webinars that teach complex chemistry topics or practical lab skills. These products are in high demand and can be created and sold with minimal overhead.

Additionally, you could expand your reach with software-based products such as a chemistry calculation app or interactive periodic table tool. The beauty of digital products lies in their accessibility and scalability. Once created, they can be sold unlimitedly without the need for inventory or physical space, allowing you to grow your business efficiently.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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10. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Creating a YouTube channel could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income as a chemist, ultimately paving the path toward a six-figure salary. By sharing your expertise through educational videos, tutorials, or fascinating experiments, you could attract a sizeable audience interested in chemistry. The platform's established monetization system allows you to earn revenue through ad placements once you meet the threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over 12 months.

In addition, engaging viewers with high-quality content could open up further revenue opportunities through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or even offering premium content or online courses. By leveraging YouTube's incredible popularity, you could turn your passion for chemistry into a profitable side business, supplementing your primary income and potentially growing into a full-fledged enterprise.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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11. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way for you to make six figures as a Chemist. With your specialized knowledge in chemistry, you could write highly sought-after content for scientific publications, educational materials, industry blogs, and technical documentation. This niche expertise can command premium rates from clients who value accurate, well-researched content.

Freelance writing offers you the flexibility to define your own work schedule and work from anywhere, enabling you to balance your primary job with your side business. By leveraging your strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and staying current with writing tools and trends, you could build a robust client base and generate substantial extra income. Your entrepreneurial mindset and self-starter attitude could be the key to success in creating a sustainable freelance writing business.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.