by our College Data Analytics TeamGeochemistry was the 1,106 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 49 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 30.6% increase in geochemistry degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 34.
Our 2023 Best Geochemistry Schools ranking analyzes 5 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for geochemistry students. Explore this or one of our many other custom geochemistry rankings further below.
Geochemistry majors are found most commonly in careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is important. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
geochemistry degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional geochemistry certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different geochemistry degree levels. Geochemistry programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest geochemistry degree you can get. Geochemistry programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to geochemistry, with approximately 33.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to geochemistry tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 34.6% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 26.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 13.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.3% |
About 64.8% of workers in careers related to geochemistry obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in geochemistry have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the geochemistry career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your geochemistry degree? Geochemistry careers are expected to grow 10.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geochemistry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Geoscientists | 36,500 | 14.1% |
| Chemistry Professors | 28,900 | 9.9% |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | 14,400 | 9.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for geochemistry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for geochemistry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers geochemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Geoscientists | $107,800 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | $101,890 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
With over 23 different geochemistry degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased geochemistry school rankings to help you with this.
One of 6 majors within the Geological & Earth Sciences area of study, Geochemistry has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology & Earth Sciences | 6,024 |
| Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 767 |
| Chemical & Physical Oceanography | 508 |
| Geophysics & Seismology | 243 |
| Hydrology & Water Resources Science | 221 |
