by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Analytical Chemistry involves the study of Analytical Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Techniques For Analyzing And Describing Matter, Including Its Precise Composition And The Interrelationships Of Constituent Elements And Compounds. Includes Instruction In Spectroscopy, Chromatography, Atomic Absorption, Photometry, Chemical Modeling, Mathematical Analysis, Laboratory Analysis Procedures And Equipment Maintenance, And Applications To Specific Research, Industrial And Health Problems. Read on to learn the key facts every analytical chemistry major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering analytical chemistry programs.
Across the country, analytical chemistry is a popular field of study, with 38 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Analytical Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for analytical chemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of analytical chemistry programs later in this article.
Studies in Analytical Chemistry develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations analytical chemistry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a analytical chemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a analytical chemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several analytical 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 21 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to analytical chemistry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.2% |
| Master’s degree | 17.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.7% |
| Some college courses | 5.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in analytical chemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in analytical chemistry prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to analytical chemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to analytical chemistry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Chemical Technicians | 136,017 | 11.6% |
| Chemists | 91,666 | 3.1% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of analytical chemistry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 analytical chemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers analytical chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Chemical Technicians | $60,181 |
| Chemists | $59,779 |
With 7 different analytical chemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased analytical chemistry school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in analytical chemistry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, General | 18,323 |
| Chemistry, Other | 540 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 367 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 83 |
| Chemical Physics | 41 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 20 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Physical Chemistry | 8 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
