Chemistry Professor

Your Fit

Income

$86K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

3.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Chemistry Professor?

A Chemistry Professor is an academic educator and researcher specializing in the science of chemistry. They are responsible for teaching chemistry courses, conducting research, and guiding students in their academic and scientific pursuits.

Sample job titles:

Assistant Professor, Chemistry Instructor, Chemistry Professor, Professor

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Chemistry Professor.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Chemistry Professor earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$53K per year	$65K per year	$86K per year	$126K per year	$172K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $37K above the national average.

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What does a Chemistry Professor do?

Work environment

Chemistry Professors work primarily in colleges and universities, where they teach in classrooms and laboratories. Their environment also includes offices for research and administrative tasks, and they may spend time in specialized research facilities or collaborating with industry professionals.

Quick task list

Teaches undergraduate and graduate chemistry courses.
Conducts and publishes scientific research in various areas of chemistry.
Supervises student laboratories and research projects.
Advises and mentors students.
Serves on academic committees and contributes to the academic community.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Organic Chemistry: Focusing on the study of carbon-containing compounds and their reactions.
Inorganic Chemistry: Specializing in non-organic compounds and materials.
Biochemistry: Combining chemistry with biology to understand biological processes at a molecular level.
Physical Chemistry: Studying the physical properties of chemical substances and their behavior.
Analytical Chemistry: Concentrating on the composition of materials and developing methods for chemical analysis.

Description

Chemistry Professors are integral to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of chemistry. They are responsible for educating the next generation of chemists, developing coursework, and providing hands-on laboratory experiences. Professors need to stay abreast of the latest scientific discoveries and technological advancements in chemistry to provide a relevant and robust educational experience.

Their role extends beyond teaching to include conducting original research. This research can contribute to significant advancements in areas like pharmaceuticals, materials science, and environmental chemistry. Publishing findings in scientific journals and obtaining grants for research projects are key aspects of their professional responsibilities.

In addition to these roles, Chemistry Professors participate in academic service, such as curriculum development, academic advising, and serving on university committees. They may also engage in public outreach or consulting work, applying their expertise to real-world problems and collaborations with the scientific community.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to scientific advancements and knowledge in the field of chemistry.
Mentoring and guiding students in their academic and research endeavors.
Engaging in dynamic and ever-evolving scientific research.

You might make a good Chemistry Professor if you are...

Passionate about chemistry and eager to share your knowledge with others.
Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
A good communicator, able to explain complex scientific concepts in an understandable way.
Curious and committed to lifelong learning and research.
Organized and able to manage the multiple responsibilities of teaching and research.

Pros:

Intellectual fulfillment from teaching and researching complex chemical concepts.
Opportunity to contribute to important scientific discoveries.
Varied work, including lab work, teaching, research, and administrative tasks.

Cons:

Pressure to publish research and secure funding.
Balancing the demands of teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities.
Staying current in a rapidly evolving field can be challenging.

How to become a Chemistry Professor

Typical education

To become a Chemistry Professor, a Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field is typically required, which involves about 8-10 years of post-secondary education, including undergraduate and graduate studies.

High school preparation

Courses:

Chemistry to gain foundational knowledge in the subject.
Advanced Mathematics, such as calculus and statistics, for data analysis in research.
Physics to understand the principles that underpin chemical reactions.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in science clubs or competitions.
Engaging in laboratory internships or summer science programs.
Conducting independent research projects or science experiments.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related scientific field.
Participate in undergraduate research opportunities and internships.
Obtain a Ph.D. in Chemistry, specializing in a specific area of interest.
Gain teaching experience through assistantships or tutoring roles.

More resources

American Chemical Society (ACS) - Provides a wealth of resources, networking opportunities, and information for chemists.
Royal Society of Chemistry - Offers publications, resources, and support for chemistry professionals.
ChemEd X - An online platform for chemistry educators to share resources and teaching strategies.
Journal of Chemical Education - Publishes research and articles relevant to chemical education.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.