by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Organic Chemistry involves the study of Organic Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Properties And Behavior Of Hydrocarbon Compounds And Their Derivatives. Includes Instruction In Molecular Conversion And Synthesis, Molecular Synthesis And Design, The Molecular Structure Of Living Cells And Systems, The Mutual Reactivity Of Organic And Inorganic Compounds In Combination, The Spectroscopic Analysis Of Hydrocarbon Compounds, And Applications To Specific Problems In Research, Industry, And Health. Read on to learn the key facts every organic chemistry major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering organic chemistry programs.
Nationwide, organic chemistry draws strong interest, with 8 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Organic Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for organic chemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of organic chemistry programs later in this article.
Coursework for Organic Chemistry build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations organic chemistry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a organic chemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a organic chemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several organic 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to organic 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 organic chemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying organic chemistry opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to organic chemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to organic 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of organic 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 organic chemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers organic 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 2 different organic chemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased organic chemistry school rankings to help you.
Students interested in organic 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 |
| Physical Chemistry | 8 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
