by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Biochemistry covers Biochemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Chemistry Of Living Systems, Their Fundamental Chemical Substances And Reactions, And Their Chemical Pathways And Information Transfer Systems, With Particular Reference To Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, And Nucleic Acids. Includes Instruction In Bio-Organic Chemistry, Protein Chemistry, Bioanalytical Chemistry, Bioseparations, Regulatory Biochemistry, Enzymology, Hormonal Chemistry, Calorimetry, And Research Methods And Equipment Operation. Continue reading for the key facts every biochemistry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biochemistry programs.
Nationwide, biochemistry is a popular field of study, with 9,737 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biochemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 591 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biochemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biochemistry programs later in this article.
Studies in Biochemistry build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biochemistry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a biochemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a biochemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biochemistry degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 25 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 8,911 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 335 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 466 |
People currently working in careers related to biochemistry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.8% |
| Master’s degree | 14.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.8% |
| Some college courses | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biochemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying biochemistry can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to biochemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biochemistry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Food Science Technicians | 135,157 | 7.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 95,666 | 3.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of biochemistry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,812 |
| 4 years | $57,445 |
| 5 years | $71,613 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biochemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biochemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
| Food Science Technicians | $100,898 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 591 different biochemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biochemistry school rankings to help you.
Those considering biochemistry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 1,482 |
| Molecular Biology | 1,255 |
| Molecular Biochemistry | 466 |
| Biophysics | 345 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other | 316 |
| Molecular Biophysics | 187 |
| Radiation Biology/Radiobiology | 18 |
| Structural Biology | 14 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
