Discusses demand for chemists and chemical engineers in 1986 and the first half of 1987. Examines the employment outlook by degree, time of year, industry, and institution. Makes predictions for the next year. Examines the starting salaries for B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. chemists. Discusses inequities by degree, experience, and gender. (CW)

Notes that women have earned 20 percent of chemistry Ph.D. degrees in recent years but hold only 4.9 percent of tenure track faculty positions in graduate chemistry departments. Lists faculties with three or more women and with none. Reviews a survey by the American Chemical Society's Women Chemists Committee. (MVL)