How long does it take to become a chemist?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do chemists make?

The US median is $91,240 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a chemist?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a chemist?

1,195 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a chemist

Science · SOC 19-2031

$91,240US median pay, 2025

+6.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

5,900Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as a chemist

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Chemistry, General	CIP 40.0501	1,176
Chemistry, Other	CIP 40.0599	56
Forensic Chemistry	CIP 40.0510	31
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry	CIP 51.2004	29
Chemical Physics	CIP 40.0508	17
Polymer Chemistry	CIP 40.0507	9
Analytical Chemistry	CIP 40.0502	7
Environmental Chemistry	CIP 40.0509	6
Materials Chemistry	CIP 40.1002	6
Organic Chemistry	CIP 40.0504	2
Physical Chemistry	CIP 40.0506	2
Theoretical Chemistry	CIP 40.0511	2
Inorganic Chemistry	CIP 40.0503	1
Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics	CIP 40.0512	1

See the 1,195 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a chemist?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do chemists make?: The US median is $91,240 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a chemist?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a chemist?: 1,195 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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