by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Environmental Chemistry involves the study of Environmental Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Natural Systems (Air, Water, And Soil) Through The Use Of Chemical Techniques And Instrumentation, With An Emphasis On The Movement And Fate Of Pollutants And Chemical Aspects Of Contaminant Remediation. Includes Instruction In Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, And Physical Chemistry; Aquatic, Soil, And Atmospheric Chemistry; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Toxicology; And Analytical Methods. Continue reading for the important information every environmental chemistry major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering environmental chemistry programs.
Across the country, environmental chemistry is a widely-pursued major, with 20 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Environmental Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 10 schools to determine the best overall colleges for environmental chemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of environmental chemistry programs later in this article.
Coursework for Environmental Chemistry emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations environmental chemistry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a environmental chemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a environmental chemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several environmental 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 | 9 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to environmental chemistry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.7% |
| Master’s degree | 23.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.5% |
| Some college courses | 3.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in environmental chemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in environmental chemistry can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to environmental chemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to environmental chemistry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 287,657 | 10.6% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | 173,597 | 7.1% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 159,640 | 3.9% |
| Industrial Ecologists | 136,627 | 8.5% |
| Chemical Technicians | 136,017 | 11.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of environmental 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 environmental chemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers environmental chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,485 |
| Industrial Ecologists | $83,212 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Environmental Restoration Planners | $61,737 |
With 10 different environmental chemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased environmental chemistry school rankings to help you.
Those considering environmental 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 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 38 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Physical Chemistry | 8 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
