Chemistry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Chemistry is a foundational scientific discipline dedicated to understanding the composition, structure, properties, and transformations of matter. This program equips students with a rigorous, inquiry-driven approach to exploring the physical world at both microscopic and macroscopic levels, preparing them for advanced study or careers in science, industry, and technology.
- Atomic and Molecular Structure: Investigates the arrangement of atoms and electrons within molecules, including bonding patterns, molecular geometry, and electronic configurations that govern chemical behavior.
- Thermodynamics and Kinetics: Examines the energy changes associated with chemical reactions and the rates at which they occur, offering insight into reaction feasibility and efficiency.
- Quantum Chemistry: Applies principles of quantum mechanics to model electron behavior in atoms and molecules, providing a theoretical basis for chemical phenomena.
- Analytical Chemistry: Focuses on techniques for identifying and quantifying substances, including spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemical methods.
- Organic Chemistry: Studies carbon-based compounds, their synthesis, reactions, and structural relationships, with applications in pharmaceuticals, materials, and biochemistry.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Explores the properties and reactions of non-carbon-based compounds, including metals, minerals, and coordination complexes.
- Physical Chemistry: Bridges physics and chemistry to understand the physical principles underlying chemical systems, such as phase equilibria and reaction mechanisms.
- Chemical Laboratory Practice: Develops hands-on skills in experimental design, instrumentation, data analysis, and safe laboratory procedures essential for real-world scientific investigation.
Chemistry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Chemistry Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Chemistry degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary and Chemists. 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 1,366,340 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1052 | $86,220 | $52,870 - $171,600 | 20,390 | N/A |
Chemists 19-2031 | $84,150 | $53,210 - $154,430 | 83,250 | $40.46 |
Forensic Science Technicians 19-4092 | $67,440 | $45,560 - $110,710 | 19,450 | $32.42 |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
Chemical Technicians 19-4031 | $57,790 | $39,030 - $90,990 | 55,640 | $27.78 |
Food Science Technicians 19-4013 | $49,430 | $37,760 - $75,100 | 14,200 | $23.76 |
Chemistry Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $63,721 in Florida to $109,006 in District of Columbia—a 71% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,366,340 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 by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Chemistry 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 is found at University of Florida (UF) (218 graduates), University of California (UCB), Berkeley (209 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (191 graduates), University of California (UCI), Irvine (183 graduates), and University of Virginia (UVA), Main Campus (180 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 8,678 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
218 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
209 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
191 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
183 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
180 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
169 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
168 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
164 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
Emory University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
157 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
151 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
148 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
143 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
140 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
136 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
135 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
132 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
131 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
126 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
124 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
Cornell University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
123 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
116 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
116 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
116 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
116 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
110 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
103 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
101 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
Princeton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
100 | Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
96 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
92 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
91 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
89 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
87 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
|
87 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
85 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
84 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
84 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
83 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
Irvine Valley College (IVC) |
Associate's
|
83 | Irvine, California | Public | ivc.edu |
Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
83 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
81 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
80 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
78 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
71 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
Binghamton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
69 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
68 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
68 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
66 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
65 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
63 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
Rice University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
63 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
61 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
60 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
59 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
59 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
59 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
59 | Richardson, Texas | Public | utdallas.edu |
University of Alabama (UAB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
58 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
58 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
58 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
57 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
57 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
57 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
56 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Other Award
|
56 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
56 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
56 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
55 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
55 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
55 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
William & Mary (W&M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
55 | Williamsburg, Virginia | Public | wm.edu |
Saddleback College |
Associate's
|
54 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
53 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
52 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
University of Memphis (UofM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
52 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
52 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
51 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
Miami University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
51 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Pasadena, California | Private | caltech.edu |
Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
49 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
48 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Chemistry programs
How much can I earn with a Chemistry degree?
Salaries for Chemistry graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $86,220. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $109,006 compared to $63,721 in Florida. Approximately 1,366,340 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 programs?
Currently 1,175 accredited institutions offer Chemistry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (218 graduates), University of California (UCB), Berkeley (209 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (191 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 growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 17,575 in 2010 to a peak of 20,835 in 2020, before declining slightly to 18,323 in 2023-24. This represents a 4% 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 degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary, and Chemists. Related occupations employ approximately 1,366,340 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.
Related Physical Sciences Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Physical Sciences field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Geophysics and Seismology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physics of solids and its application to the study of the earth and...
Paleontology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of extinct life forms and associated fossil remains, and the reconstruction and analysis of ancient...
Hydrology and Water Resources Science
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the occurrence, circulation, distribution, chemical and physical properties, and environmental interaction of surface and...
Chemical and Physical Oceanography
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemical components, mechanisms, structure, and movement of ocean waters and their interaction with...
Earth Sciences
Any instructional program in geological and related sciences not listed above.
Physics
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of matter and energy, and the formulation and testing of the laws governing the...