Geochemistry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Geochemistry explores the chemical composition, reactions, and transformations of Earth and planetary materials across geological timescales. This interdisciplinary field integrates principles from chemistry, geology, and physics to understand how elements and compounds behave within the solid Earth, oceans, atmosphere, and extraterrestrial bodies.
- Chemical thermodynamics: Examines the energy changes and spontaneity of geological processes, enabling predictions about mineral stability and reaction pathways under varying pressure and temperature conditions.
- Equilibrium in silicate systems: Investigates how silicate minerals and melts interact and reach chemical balance in magmatic and metamorphic environments, critical for interpreting rock formation processes.
- Atomic bonding: Analyzes the nature of chemical bonds in minerals, influencing physical properties and stability, and informing models of material behavior under extreme conditions.
- Isotopic fractionation: Studies the separation of isotopes during natural processes, providing insights into temperature histories, fluid-rock interactions, and the origins of planetary materials.
- Geochemical modeling: Utilizes computational tools to simulate complex chemical systems, helping predict element distribution and reaction outcomes in natural environments.
- Specimen analysis: Applies advanced laboratory techniques such as mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction to characterize the elemental and isotopic composition of geological samples.
- Organic and inorganic substance studies: Explores the chemical behavior of both carbon-based compounds and non-carbon minerals, crucial for understanding biogeochemical cycles and planetary evolution.
Geochemistry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Geochemistry Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Geochemistry degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. 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 155,250 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 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1051 | $101,390 | $53,310 - $199,260 | 11,480 | N/A |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 19-2042 | $99,240 | $58,790 - $178,880 | 22,510 | $47.71 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1052 | $86,220 | $52,870 - $171,600 | 20,390 | N/A |
Geochemistry Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $76,440 in Louisiana to $144,188 in California—a 89% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 155,250 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 Geochemistry by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 12 institutions offering Geochemistry 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 Geochemistry is found at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (10 graduates), University of New Hampshire (UNH), Main Campus (4 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (3 graduates), Colorado School of Mines (3 graduates), and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Pasadena, California | Private | caltech.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Master's
|
4 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) |
Master's
|
2 | Socorro, New Mexico | Public | nmt.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Geneseo, New York | Public | geneseo.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Geochemistry programs
How much can I earn with a Geochemistry degree?
Salaries for Geochemistry graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $101,390. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $144,188 compared to $76,440 in Louisiana. Approximately 155,250 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 Geochemistry programs?
Currently 12 accredited institutions offer Geochemistry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (10 graduates), University of New Hampshire (UNH), Main Campus (4 graduates), and University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (3 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 Geochemistry growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 35 in 2010 to a peak of 34 in 2020, before declining slightly to 33 in 2023-24. This represents a 6% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Geochemistry degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. Related occupations employ approximately 155,250 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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