Chemistry Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of substances, their properties, reactions, and transformations.
Starting Salary
$52K
median
Mid-Career
$85K
salary
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4.2%
rate
Chemistry Overview
Study of substances, their properties, reactions, and transformations.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
25%
Lifetime Premium
$550K
Female Graduates
48%
Chemistry Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$531,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($550,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
Chemistry Salary Progression
Common Chemistry Careers
Chemist
Lab Technician
Quality Control Analyst
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Chemistry
#1
MIT
#2
Caltech
#3
Stanford
#4
UC Berkeley
#5
Harvard
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Chemistry Degree FAQ
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