by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Geochemistry explores Geochemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Chemical Properties And Behavior Of The Silicates And Other Substances Forming, And Formed By Geomorphological Processes Of The Earth And Other Planets. Includes Instruction In Chemical Thermodynamics, Equilibrium In Silicate Systems, Atomic Bonding, Isotopic Fractionation, Geochemical Modeling, Specimen Analysis, And Studies Of Specific Organic And Inorganic Substances. Continue reading for the key facts every geochemistry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geochemistry programs.
Across the country, geochemistry draws strong interest, with 33 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geochemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 12 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geochemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geochemistry programs later in this article.
Studies in Geochemistry emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geochemistry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a geochemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a geochemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geochemistry 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 | 11 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to geochemistry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 29.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 14.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geochemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying geochemistry prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to geochemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geochemistry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of geochemistry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,682 |
| 4 years | $54,219 |
| 5 years | $61,701 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geochemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geochemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
With 12 different geochemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geochemistry school rankings to help you.
Those considering geochemistry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology/Earth Science, General | 5,715 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other | 863 |
| Oceanography, Chemical and Physical | 569 |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Science | 220 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 197 |
| Paleontology | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
