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Chemistry Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Chemistry but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Chemistry but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Chemistry majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Chemistry majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Chemistry majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Chemists and Materials Scientists | 67,200 |
| 4 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 91,600 |
| 4 | Physical Scientists, nec | 73,000 |
| 4 | Chemical Technicians | 59,200 |
| 3 | Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | 58,000 |
| 2 | Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 55,100 |
| 2 | Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, nec | 56,600 |
| 2 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 45,700 |
| 2 | Secondary School Teachers | 51,900 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Chemistry majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Chemistry majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Chemists and Materials Scientists | 98,400 |
| 8 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 8 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 135,000 |
| 3 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing | 137,000 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 79,400 |
| 2 | Physical Scientists, nec | 115,000 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 109,000 |
| 2 | Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | 83,900 |
| 2 | Industrial Production Managers | 127,000 |
| 2 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 124,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Chemistry majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Chemistry majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Physicians and Surgeons | 422,000 |
| 9 | Postsecondary Teachers | 108,000 |
| 8 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 189,000 |
| 6 | Physical Scientists, nec | 155,000 |
| 6 | Chemists and Materials Scientists | 135,000 |
| 4 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 3 | Medical Scientists, and Life Scientists, All Other | 145,000 |
| 3 | Dentists | 234,000 |
| 2 | Lawyers, and judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers | 211,000 |
| 2 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 258,000 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Chemistry majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Chemistry majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Colleges and universities | 55,300 |
| 11 | Hospitals | 74,200 |
| 8 | Research, development, and testing services | 77,800 |
| 7 | Drugs | 85,500 |
| 5 | Elementary and secondary schools | 58,300 |
| 4 | Industrial and miscellaneous chemicals | 80,100 |
| 3 | Health services, n.e.c. | 68,900 |
| 3 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 3 | Drug stores | 135,000 |
| 2 | Engineering, architectural, and surveying services | 65,900 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Chemistry majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Chemistry majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Colleges and universities | 105,000 |
| 8 | Drugs | 159,000 |
| 7 | Hospitals | 227,000 |
| 6 | Offices and clinics of physicians | 401,000 |
| 6 | Research, development, and testing services | 147,000 |
| 5 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 4 | Elementary and secondary schools | 68,000 |
| 4 | Industrial and miscellaneous chemicals | 141,000 |
| 3 | Health services, n.e.c. | 156,000 |
| 2 | Computer and data processing services | 151,000 |
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