There are both aspects in commercial perfumery, which makes it a pretty interesting industry. It’s true that there’s a definite laboratory slant when a fragrance needs to be validated and modified to meet regulatory standards for sale (which vary widely by region), and of course during mass production, but many big labels still tap independent perfumers who often work in pretty simple, bohemian digs, where a digital scale is about the most advanced gear in use. And there are legitimately thousands of independent perfumeries producing commercial fragrances at relatively small scale.
Many perfumers are trained chemists, but it’s definitely not a prerequisite.
Many perfumers are trained chemists, but it’s definitely not a prerequisite.