Chemistry graduates earn $65,120 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 33.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Chemistry is a focused area of study within Physical Sciences. Graduates typically earn around $65,120 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 1,380 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 19,976 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$42,677
Median Earnings · 4yr
$65,120
Colleges Offering
1,380
Graduates / Year
19,976
Avg Net Price / yr
$16,355
How Much Do Chemistry Graduates Earn?
Chemistry graduates earn $65,120 four years out, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,307 and $84,018. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $42,677 climbs to $65,120 by year four.
$42,677
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$65,120
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$66,171
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Chemistry graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$48,30725th pct.
$65,120Median
$84,01875th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $65,120 against an estimated $65,420 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 1,174 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 19,976 students who complete Chemistry programs each year, the majority (67%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
67%
Bachelor's67%
Doctorate16%
Master's12%
What Can You Do With a Chemistry Degree?
Chemistry connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Natural Sciences Managers leads at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Judgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.
Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical separation.
Establish, teach, and monitor students' compliance with safety rules for handling chemicals, equipment, and other hazardous materials.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory performance, assignments, and papers.
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
Top Colleges for Chemistry
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Chemistry students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Chemistry program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Chemistry a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $65,120 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $42,677 at graduation to $65,120 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +33.5% over the next decade, with Data Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 53,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Chemistry Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Chemistry graduates earn?
Chemistry graduates earn a national median of $65,120 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,307 and $84,018. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Chemistry degree?
One year after graduation, Chemistry degree holders earn a median of $42,677. That climbs to $65,120 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Chemistry degree?
Chemistry degree holders pursue careers including Natural Sciences Managers, which pays a median of $167,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Chemistry program take?
A Chemistry bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Chemistry?
1,380 colleges and universities in the United States offer Chemistry programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Chemistry degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $65,120 and an average net price of roughly $16,355/yr, a Chemistry degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Chemistry and Physical Sciences?
Chemistry is a focused concentration within the broader Physical Sciences field. The Physical Sciences major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Chemistry-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Chemistry graduates?
Employers hiring Chemistry graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Chemistry graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Chemistry graduates?
The job outlook for Chemistry graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +9.2% job growth over the next 10 years. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +33.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Physical Sciences Programs
Other programs in Physical Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
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