by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Inorganic Chemistry explores Inorganic Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Elements And Their Compounds, Other Than The Hydrocarbons And Their Derivatives. Includes Instruction In The Characterization And Synthesis Of Non-Carbon Molecules, Including Their Structure And Their Bonding, Conductivity, And Reactive Properties; Research Techniques Such As Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, And Photoelectron Analysis; And The Study Of Specific Compounds, Such As Transition Metals, And Compounds Composed Of Inorganic And Organic Molecules. Continue reading for the essential details every inorganic chemistry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering inorganic chemistry programs.
Our 2026 Best Inorganic Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for inorganic chemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of inorganic chemistry programs later in this article.
Programs in Inorganic Chemistry emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations inorganic chemistry graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a inorganic chemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a inorganic chemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to inorganic 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in inorganic chemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in inorganic chemistry opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to inorganic chemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to inorganic 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of inorganic 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 inorganic chemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers inorganic 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 1 different inorganic chemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased inorganic chemistry school rankings to help you.
Students interested in inorganic 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 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 20 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Physical Chemistry | 8 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
