Chemistry Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring educators, this program equips future chemistry instructors with the pedagogical expertise and scientific depth required to teach chemistry across secondary and post-secondary education settings. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of chemical principles, instructional design, and classroom management, preparing them to inspire and guide learners in scientific inquiry and critical thinking.
- General Chemistry: Explores fundamental concepts such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, and thermodynamics, forming the foundation for advanced study and teaching.
- Organic Chemistry: Focuses on the structure, properties, and reactions of carbon-containing compounds, essential for understanding biological systems and materials science.
- Physical Chemistry: Integrates principles of physics and mathematics to analyze chemical systems, covering topics like quantum mechanics, kinetics, and equilibrium.
- Analytical Chemistry: Develops skills in identifying and quantifying substances using instrumental and laboratory techniques, crucial for real-world scientific applications.
- Chemistry Education Theory: Examines learning models, curriculum development, assessment strategies, and inclusive teaching practices tailored to science education.
- Lab Safety and Instructional Methods: Emphasizes best practices in laboratory management, experimental design, and hands-on learning to foster safe, effective science classrooms.
Chemistry Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Chemistry Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Chemistry Teacher Education degrees, including Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,772,390 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1052 | $86,220 | $52,870 - $171,600 | 20,390 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Chemistry Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $57,333 in Florida to $103,335 in California—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,772,390 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Chemistry Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 67 institutions offering Chemistry Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Chemistry Teacher Education is found at Grand Canyon University (GCU) (37 graduates), Western Governors University (WGU) (34 graduates), Stony Brook University (SBU) (11 graduates), Illinois State University (ISU) (10 graduates), and American College of Education (ACE) (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 192 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Master's
|
37 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
10 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Master's
|
6 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| Niagara University |
Master's
|
5 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| St. Joseph's University (SJNY) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sjny.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
3 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| SUNY Brockport |
Master's
|
3 | Brockport, New York | Public | brockport.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Mercy University |
Master's
|
2 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
|
2 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| SUNY College |
Master's
|
2 | Potsdam, New York | Public | potsdam.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Athens, Tennessee | Private | tnwesleyan.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Daytona State College (DSC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Public | daytonastate.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| Trine University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Angola, Indiana | Private | trine.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
|
1 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Gordon College |
Master's
|
1 | Wenham, Massachusetts | Private | gordon.edu |
| Lesley University |
Master's
|
1 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | lesley.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Martin Luther College (MLC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New Ulm, Minnesota | Private | mlc-wels.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Avila University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | avila.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Elmira College (EC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Elmira, New York | Private | elmira.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
1 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Manhattanville College |
Master's
|
1 | Purchase, New York | Private | mville.edu |
| Roberts Wesleyan University |
Master's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | roberts.edu |
| Siena College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Master's
|
1 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| State University of New York |
Master's
|
1 | New Paltz, New York | Public | newpaltz.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Miami University |
Master's
|
1 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Geneva College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania | Private | geneva.edu |
| Juniata College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Huntingdon, Pennsylvania | Private | juniata.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Providence College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | providence.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| King University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bristol, Tennessee | Private | king.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Saint Norbert College (SNC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | De Pere, Wisconsin | Private | snc.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Chemistry Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Chemistry Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Chemistry Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $86,220 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $103,335 compared to $57,333 in Florida. Approximately 1,772,390 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Chemistry Teacher Education programs?
Currently 67 accredited institutions offer Chemistry Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Grand Canyon University (GCU) (37 graduates), Western Governors University (WGU) (34 graduates), and Stony Brook University (SBU) (11 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Chemistry Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 143 in 2010 to a peak of 214 in 2020, before declining slightly to 192 in 2023-24. This represents a 34% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Chemistry Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,772,390 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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