Also called: Postsecondary Chemistry Teacher, Chemistry Lecturer
Teaches college chemistry courses and usually runs a research lab.
A chemistry professor might lecture 200 first-years on chemical bonds in the morning, then spend the afternoon in the lab with grad students troubleshooting a reaction that keeps failing. Evenings go to grading lab reports and writing grant proposals.
May 2025 BLS figures; research-university professors earn more than teaching-college faculty.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. Ph.D. in the field for tenure-track jobs; a master's can be enough at community colleges.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). BLS projects about-average growth (2024-34).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI and lab robots speed experiments; teaching students in labs and leading research stay human, though the job market is tight.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, AP Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 25-1052.
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