by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Molecular Toxicology involves the study of Molecular Toxicology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Genetic Determinants Of Susceptibility To External Pollutants And Poisons; The Interaction Of Toxic Agents With Biological Systems At The Molecular And Cellular Levels; And The Development Of Countermeasures And Treatments. Includes Instruction In Pharmacogenetics, Biomolecular Structure, Gene Expression And Regulation, Transgenic Modeling, Toxic Events Signaling, Transcriptional Activation, Mutagenesis And Carcinogenesis, Pulmonary Toxicology, Xenobiotic Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, Risk Assessment, Molecular Dosimetry, And Studies Of Specific Toxins And Treatment Therapies. Continue reading for the important information every molecular toxicology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering molecular toxicology programs.
In the U.S., molecular toxicology is a widely-pursued major, with 2 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Molecular Toxicology Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for molecular toxicology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of molecular toxicology programs later in this article.
Programs in Molecular Toxicology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations molecular toxicology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a molecular toxicology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a molecular toxicology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several molecular toxicology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to molecular toxicology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 39.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 16.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in molecular toxicology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in molecular toxicology opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to molecular toxicology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to molecular toxicology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | 173,597 | 7.1% |
| Industrial Ecologists | 136,627 | 8.5% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Environmental Restoration Planners | 98,537 | 4.3% |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | 67,440 | 3.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of molecular toxicology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,787 |
| 4 years | $74,178 |
| 5 years | $91,829 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for molecular toxicology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers molecular toxicology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Industrial Ecologists | $83,212 |
| Environmental Restoration Planners | $61,737 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | $46,198 |
With 1 different molecular toxicology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased molecular toxicology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in molecular toxicology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology | 483 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 252 |
| Toxicology | 152 |
| Molecular Pharmacology | 85 |
| Environmental Toxicology | 78 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other | 53 |
| Neuropharmacology | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
