by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Chemical Physics covers Chemical Physics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Structural Phenomena Combining The Disciplines Of Physical Chemistry And Atomic/molecular Physics. Includes Instruction In Heterogeneous Structures, Alignment And Surface Phenomena, Quantum Theory, Mathematical Physics, Statistical And Classical Mechanics, Chemical Kinetics, And Laser Physics. Continue reading for the essential details every chemical physics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chemical physics programs.
Across the country, chemical physics is a popular field of study, with 41 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chemical Physics Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemical physics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chemical physics programs later in this article.
Programs in Chemical Physics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chemical physics graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a chemical physics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a chemical physics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chemical physics 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 | 28 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to chemical physics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 28.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.1% |
| Master’s degree | 20.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chemical physics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in chemical physics prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to chemical physics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemical physics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | 415,392 | 14.3% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Chemists | 91,666 | 3.1% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of chemical physics 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 chemical physics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chemical physics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Chemists | $59,779 |
With 14 different chemical physics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chemical physics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in chemical physics, 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 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 38 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 20 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Physical Chemistry | 8 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
