A degree in Chemistry Education covers Chemistry Teacher Education. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Chemistry Programs At Various Educational Levels. Read on to learn the key facts every chemistry education major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chemistry education programs.
Nationwide, chemistry education draws strong interest, with 192 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chemistry Education Schools ranking analyzes these 67 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemistry education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chemistry education programs later in this article.
Studies in Chemistry Education build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chemistry education graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a chemistry education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a chemistry education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chemistry education 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 67 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 125 |
People currently working in careers related to chemistry education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.2% |
| Master’s degree | 9.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chemistry education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in chemistry education can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to chemistry education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemistry education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 692,039 | -1.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of chemistry education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,919 |
| 4 years | $50,204 |
| 5 years | $56,331 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for chemistry education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chemistry education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $83,105 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
With 67 different chemistry education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chemistry education school rankings to help you.
Those considering chemistry education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 6,964 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 5,986 |
| Music Teacher Education | 4,544 |
| English/Language Arts Teacher Education | 3,018 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 2,993 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other | 2,352 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 1,963 |
| Art Teacher Education | 1,860 |
| Health Teacher Education | 1,472 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 1,051 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.