by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1 U.S. colleges awarded 4 degrees and certificates in Inorganic Chemistry. Graduates earn a median $46,311 one year after completing, rising to $74,187 after four years.
Studying Inorganic Chemistry explores Inorganic Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Elements And Their Compounds, Other Than The Hydrocarbons And Their Derivatives. Includes Instruction In The Characterization And Synthesis Of Non-Carbon Molecules, Including Their Structure And Their Bonding, Conductivity, And Reactive Properties; Research Techniques Such As Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, And Photoelectron Analysis; And The Study Of Specific Compounds, Such As Transition Metals, And Compounds Composed Of Inorganic And Organic Molecules.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, inorganic chemistry draws strong interest, with 4 degrees awarded annually. 1 colleges award inorganic chemistry degrees, an average of 4 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 4.
All 4 of the awards are doctorates, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 75% of inorganic chemistry degrees and certificates in the latest year (3 of 4), and international students earned 4.
O*NET rates Reading Comprehension the most important skill for jobs related to inorganic chemistry, at 4.0 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are English Language, Mathematics and Chemistry. The most important abilities are Written Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an inorganic chemistry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to inorganic chemistry, at 38.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.2% |
| Master’s degree | 17.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.7% |
| Some college courses | 5.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Inorganic Chemistry, with an average median salary of $102,057; the strongest outlook belongs to Chemical Technicians, at 11.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator and Clinical Research Coordinator.
The occupation related to inorganic chemistry with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Chemical Technicians | 136,017 | 11.6% |
| Chemists | 91,666 | 3.1% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Inorganic Chemistry graduates earn a median $46,311 one year after completing their program, $74,187 after four years and $72,061 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,311 |
| 4 years | $74,187 |
| 5 years | $72,061 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to inorganic chemistry is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Chemical Technicians | $60,181 |
| Chemists | $59,779 |
Inorganic Chemistry has 10 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 19,857 degrees a year; the largest are Chemistry, General (18,718), Chemistry, Other (574) and Forensic Chemistry (363). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, General | 18,718 |
| Chemistry, Other | 574 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 363 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 72 |
| Chemical Physics | 44 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 38 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 21 |
| Organic Chemistry | 9 |
| Physical Chemistry | 9 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 9 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.