What Does a Chemistry Professor Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a chemistry professor do?

Chemistry teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in chemistry at colleges and universities, run laboratory courses and often conduct research. The median pay is $93,250 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +2.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$93,250
Annual salary · May 2025
Job growth
+2.3%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
1,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS classification
Time to train
5–7 years after a bachelor’s
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
24,900
Employment, 2025

What chemistry professors do

Chemistry professors teach the science of matter. They teach general, organic, analytical, physical and biochemistry, design safe lab experiments, train students in instrumentation, run research groups that make new molecules or materials, write grants and publish papers.

Universities usually require a Ph.D.; community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree. Lab safety leadership is a big part of the job.

Typical duties

Teach chemistry lectures
Design and supervise labs
Train students on instruments
Lead a research group
Write grants
Publish research
Oversee lab safety

Work environment and schedule

Chemistry faculty work in classrooms, teaching labs and research labs.

Schedule: Teaching, research and service with flexible hours; labs can run long.

A day in the life

8:00 AMTeach organic chemistry.
9:30 AMCheck the teaching lab setup.
11:00 AMMeet research students about a synthesis.
1:00 PMSupervise a lab section.

See a full day in the life of a chemistry professor →

Chemistry Professor salary

Half of chemistry professors earned more than $93,250 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $57,870 for the lowest 10% to $172,110 for the top 10%.

$57,87010th$93,250Median$172,11090th

Full chemistry professor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a chemistry professor

Earn a chemistry bachelor’s
Do research
Complete a Ph.D.
Do a postdoc
Get hired

A Ph.D. in chemistry is typical for universities; community colleges may accept a master’s.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a chemistry professor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Chemistry expertise
Lab techniques
Instrumentation
Research design
Lab safety

People skills

Clear explanation
Mentoring
Attention to detail
Patience

All chemistry professor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Hands-on science teaching
Research discoveries
Flexible schedule
Mentor future chemists

Cons

Lab safety responsibility
Grant pressure
Competitive tenure track
Grading lab reports

Certifications and licenses

Ph.D. in chemistry: Doctoral degree.
ACS membership: Professional society.
Lab safety training: Chemical hygiene.
Research grants: NSF and others.

Career path

Postdoc or Instructor: Train.
Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
Associate Professor: Tenure.
Professor or Chair: Lead departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Chemistry Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as design a safe teaching lab and teach reaction mechanisms, safety and how to land your first job.

View Chemistry Professor training Is this career right for me?

Chemist

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Chemical Technician

Run chemical tests and experiments that support research and production.

$60,390
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Biology Professor

Teach life sciences and lead biology research at the college level.

$84,620
6–9 years after a bachelor’s

Physics Professor

Teach physics and lead research into how the universe works.

$100,310
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Compare: Chemistry Professor vs. Chemist · Chemistry Professor vs. Chemical Technician · Chemistry Professor vs. Biology Professor · Chemistry Professor vs. Physics Professor

Chemistry Professor FAQ

Do chemistry professors need a Ph.D.?

Usually at universities; community colleges may accept a master’s.

Do they run research labs?

At research universities, yes.

Is lab safety part of the job?

Yes, it’s a major responsibility.

How much does a chemistry professor make?

The median annual wage for chemistry professors was $93,250 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $57,870 and the highest 10% earned more than $172,110.

How long does it take to become a chemistry professor?

Most people need about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in chemistry is typical for universities; community colleges may accept a master’s.

Do you need a degree to be a chemistry professor?

Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a Ph.D., while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1052 (Chemistry teachers, postsecondary).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Chemistry teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Chemistry Professor