by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you are curious about the building blocks of life and matter, a major in Chemistry might be for you. In this major, you will learn everything about matter including the atoms that make it up, how it behaves when manipulated, and reactions it has to other matter. You will take classes in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, thermodynamics, and biochemistry, and many others in order to be introduced to the many practical uses for chemistry.
Chemistry is a large field and offers many specializations. You may have the option to choose a concentration in Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Environmental Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, and Theoretical Chemistry. These areas of specialization open up a variety of career choices to students.
Studying Chemistry explores Chemistry. Read on to learn the key facts every chemistry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chemistry programs.
Across the country, chemistry is a widely-pursued major, with 19,434 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 1,185 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chemistry programs later in this article.
Coursework for Chemistry emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chemistry graduates commonly enter.
Students should have a strong background in science and math. You will be required to use and memorize a variety of formulas when conducting experiments. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills will help you look at data and draw conclusions. Problem solving skills will help you use this data to solve issues. You will also be required to give presentations or write articles about your findings.
Both your undergrad work and most future careers will involve a lot of time spent in a lab performing experiments and recording data. Experience in this field is helpful when you are looking for a job after graduation. You can gain this experience by working in research labs on your campus while working towards to undergraduate degree, through internship, or through fellowships.
A bachelor's degree will allow you to work as a chemist, but you must obtain a master's or Ph.D. if you wish to conduct research or lead experiments. Typically, you will specialize in a certain aspect of chemistry when you earn an advanced degree.
The skill set emphasized by a chemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a chemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chemistry 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,017 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12,590 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,666 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3,151 |
People currently working in careers related to chemistry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 39.9% |
| Master’s degree | 16.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| Some college courses | 4.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Chemists work in a variety of locations from research and development labs to medical manufacturing. Graduates have been hired by manufacturers to develop new materials, private industries to perform tests for pharmaceuticals, and by companies to monitor environmental conditions. You will be able to employ your strong understanding of chemistry concepts to any number of industries.
A degree in chemistry prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to chemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemistry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of chemistry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,286 |
| 4 years | $61,499 |
| 5 years | $72,069 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for chemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
With 1,185 different chemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chemistry school rankings to help you.
Those considering chemistry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, General | 18,323 |
| Chemistry, Other | 540 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 367 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 83 |
| Chemical Physics | 41 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 38 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 20 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Physical Chemistry | 8 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 6 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physics | 12,910 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 7,622 |
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,661 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,580 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 1,341 |
| Materials Sciences | 650 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 422 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
