Chemist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Chemists can get H-1B visa sponsorship at pharma companies, chemical manufacturers, food companies, and research institutions. The specialty occupation argument is straightforward when the role requires a chemistry or related science degree. Larger employers like Dow, 3M, and Procter & Gamble have established immigration programs. Academic and government lab positions may also use J-1 visas, and O-1A is an option for researchers with significant publications. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Veolia has acquired Clean Earth. As Clean Earth completes its integration into Veolia, recruiting and hiring for this role is being managed in partnership with the Clean Earth talent acquisition team.
Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Handles hazardous materials including inventorying, identifying, segregating, and packaging waste material in accordance with Lab Pack policies, procedures and practices and all applicable regulations.
- Perform onsite services which may include waste collection, consolidation (i.e., bulking, repackaging), sampling, safety/compliance inspections, and other related activities required by the customer/contract. Assists other business groups, i.e., Depack, Retail and HHW, both internal and onsite as needed.
- Preparing shipment of packaged waste by inspecting, labeling, marking, and loading into the transport vehicle.
- Properly completes documentation including shipping papers, Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR’s), evaluations/certifications and other required documentation in accordance with appropriate regulations and procedures.
- Maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Hazmat Endorsement to legally operate Clean Earth vehicles necessary for transporting personnel and waste to and from customers’ job locations.
- Follows, understands, and promotes by example, all Health & Safety /Job Safety Analysis (JSA’s) procedures including development of on-site Health & Safety plans/JSA’s as outlined in the procedures and policies.
- Perform unknown field testing for classification and packaging for transportation and disposal.
- Mentor and assist new employees in field work duties.
- Complete site walks to inventory and assess requirements for potential and awarded work.
- Assist sales in creating estimates for lab pack work.
- Lead/coordinate field service/lab pack jobs requiring multiple personnel/days.
- Assist in other areas as directed including but not limited to assistance in scheduling and support of staff training.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Basic Requirements:
- Associate College in general science (BS preferred) is required for the Lab Pack Chemist.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Hazardous Material endorsement and a clear record.
- Moderate to extensive travel with 20% overnight travel.
- Physical ability to lift and move material of various weights frequently exceeding 55 lbs.
- Basic understanding of chemistry through general chemistry or biology.
- Advanced knowledge of EPA and DOT.
- Minimum two (2) years lab pack experience.
- 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER.
- 8 hours DOT Training.
- PPE Training which includes Respirators.
- 40 hours Depack Experience.
This position requires a CDL B to be obtained within a 6-month period from your start date. Failure to obtain a CDL B within the 6-month period will mean you are no longer eligible for the Lab Pack Chemist position.
This position is also contingent upon successful completion of a DOT physical, DOT Drug Screen and any other DOL or company requirements.
Additional Information
Starting pay: $37.00 - $38.00 hourly.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, commencing no later than January 1, 2027, benefits package will include participation in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Company Description
Veolia has acquired Clean Earth. As Clean Earth completes its integration into Veolia, recruiting and hiring for this role is being managed in partnership with the Clean Earth talent acquisition team.
Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Handles hazardous materials including inventorying, identifying, segregating, and packaging waste material in accordance with Lab Pack policies, procedures and practices and all applicable regulations.
- Perform onsite services which may include waste collection, consolidation (i.e., bulking, repackaging), sampling, safety/compliance inspections, and other related activities required by the customer/contract. Assists other business groups, i.e., Depack, Retail and HHW, both internal and onsite as needed.
- Preparing shipment of packaged waste by inspecting, labeling, marking, and loading into the transport vehicle.
- Properly completes documentation including shipping papers, Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR’s), evaluations/certifications and other required documentation in accordance with appropriate regulations and procedures.
- Maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Hazmat Endorsement to legally operate Clean Earth vehicles necessary for transporting personnel and waste to and from customers’ job locations.
- Follows, understands, and promotes by example, all Health & Safety /Job Safety Analysis (JSA’s) procedures including development of on-site Health & Safety plans/JSA’s as outlined in the procedures and policies.
- Perform unknown field testing for classification and packaging for transportation and disposal.
- Mentor and assist new employees in field work duties.
- Complete site walks to inventory and assess requirements for potential and awarded work.
- Assist sales in creating estimates for lab pack work.
- Lead/coordinate field service/lab pack jobs requiring multiple personnel/days.
- Assist in other areas as directed including but not limited to assistance in scheduling and support of staff training.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Basic Requirements:
- Associate College in general science (BS preferred) is required for the Lab Pack Chemist.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Hazardous Material endorsement and a clear record.
- Moderate to extensive travel with 20% overnight travel.
- Physical ability to lift and move material of various weights frequently exceeding 55 lbs.
- Basic understanding of chemistry through general chemistry or biology.
- Advanced knowledge of EPA and DOT.
- Minimum two (2) years lab pack experience.
- 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER.
- 8 hours DOT Training.
- PPE Training which includes Respirators.
- 40 hours Depack Experience.
This position requires a CDL B to be obtained within a 6-month period from your start date. Failure to obtain a CDL B within the 6-month period will mean you are no longer eligible for the Lab Pack Chemist position.
This position is also contingent upon successful completion of a DOT physical, DOT Drug Screen and any other DOL or company requirements.
Additional Information
Starting pay: $37.00 - $38.00 hourly.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, commencing no later than January 1, 2027, benefits package will include participation in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Chemist
Target pharmaceutical quality control and analytical chemistry roles
Pharmaceutical companies need analytical chemists for quality control, method development, and stability testing - functions required by FDA regulations. These roles are abundant, clearly require chemistry degrees, and exist at companies of all sizes, from large pharma to contract testing laboratories. QC chemist positions at companies like Eurofins, SGS, and Charles River offer consistent entry points into the industry.
Leverage national labs and university positions for cap-exempt H-1B
National laboratories (Argonne, Brookhaven, Lawrence Livermore, Oak Ridge) and university chemistry departments are H-1B cap-exempt, meaning no lottery and year-round filing. These institutions actively recruit international chemists for research positions. The Department of Energy's national lab system alone employs thousands of chemists across materials science, nuclear chemistry, and energy research.
Build toward O-1 eligibility through publications and patents
Chemists with strong publication records, patents, and peer-reviewed research contributions may qualify for the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability. Document every publication, conference presentation, peer review invitation, and patent filing. If you accumulate publications in high-impact journals like JACS, Angewandte Chemie, or Nature Chemistry, the O-1 path can bypass the H-1B lottery entirely.
Specialize in high-growth areas like battery chemistry or biologics
The energy storage revolution has created enormous demand for electrochemists and materials chemists who work on lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, and next-generation energy technologies. Companies like Tesla, QuantumScape, and Solid Power, along with established chemical companies pivoting to energy, are competing for this talent. Similarly, biologics manufacturing needs chemists for upstream and downstream processing roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pharmaceutical and chemical companies sponsor chemists for H-1B visas?
Yes, chemist positions are well-suited for H-1B visa sponsorship because they clearly require a bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field. Major employers like Pfizer, Merck, Dow, BASF, DuPont, 3M, and Procter and Gamble regularly sponsor chemists. The role's educational requirements and specialized knowledge make it one of the more straightforward H-1B specialty occupation classifications.
Is chemistry eligible for STEM OPT?
Yes, chemistry and related disciplines (biochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering) are STEM-designated fields, qualifying graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This provides up to 36 months of total work authorization - 12 months of OPT plus 24 months of STEM extension. This extended period gives you substantial time to prove your value and secure H-1B sponsorship.
Are there cap-exempt research positions for chemists?
Yes, chemistry positions at universities, nonprofit research institutions, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) like national laboratories are H-1B cap-exempt. Labs like Argonne, Oak Ridge, Sandia, and Lawrence Berkeley hire research chemists without the H-1B lottery constraint. Academic postdoctoral positions in university chemistry departments are also cap-exempt.
What specializations are in highest demand for chemist roles?
Analytical chemistry (particularly for quality control in pharma), medicinal chemistry (drug discovery), materials science (semiconductors, batteries), and formulation chemistry (consumer products, pharma) have strong and consistent demand. The growing battery and energy storage sector has increased demand for electrochemists and materials chemists. Environmental chemistry and food science chemistry are also growing fields with sponsorship potential.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Chemist jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a chemist in California will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.
How to find Chemist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Chemist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus on pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and chemical manufacturing firms that commonly sponsor H-1B, TN visa, or other work visas for qualified chemists. These employers actively seek international talent for R&D, quality control, and analytical chemistry positions.