Life As a Chemistry Professor
Job Description & Duties Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
List of Chemistry Professor Job Duties
- Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
- Supervise students' laboratory work.
- Serve on committees or in professional societies.
- Select, order, and maintain materials and supplies for teaching and research, such as textbooks, chemicals, and laboratory equipment.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
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What Every Chemistry Professor Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Chemistry Professors say are important on the job.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Types of Chemistry Professor Jobs
- Sciences Dean
- College or University Faculty Member
- Chemistry Instructor
- Instructor
- Analytical Chemistry Teacher
Job Outlook for Chemistry Professors
In the United States, there were 26,300 jobs for Chemistry Professor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,600 new jobs for Chemistry Professor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,300 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Chemistry Professor are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, North Dakota, or Montana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Chemistry Professor
The salary for Chemistry Professors ranges between about $44,970 and $158,830 a year.

Chemistry Professors who work in California, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Chemistry Professors in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $80,840 |
Arizona | $89,380 |
Arkansas | $72,560 |
California | $116,530 |
Colorado | $87,960 |
Connecticut | $81,680 |
Delaware | $90,430 |
District of Columbia | $81,040 |
Florida | $98,270 |
Georgia | $96,420 |
Idaho | $66,870 |
Illinois | $87,070 |
Indiana | $91,480 |
Iowa | $94,470 |
Kansas | $92,590 |
Kentucky | $68,760 |
Maine | $76,130 |
Maryland | $94,480 |
Massachusetts | $104,780 |
Michigan | $92,640 |
Minnesota | $86,150 |
Mississippi | $80,710 |
Missouri | $89,340 |
Montana | $73,170 |
Nebraska | $80,330 |
Nevada | $75,380 |
New Hampshire | $102,990 |
New York | $102,260 |
North Carolina | $85,800 |
North Dakota | $75,880 |
Ohio | $98,380 |
Oklahoma | $65,000 |
Oregon | $97,780 |
Pennsylvania | $93,510 |
Rhode Island | $115,080 |
South Carolina | $72,970 |
South Dakota | $74,200 |
Tennessee | $78,970 |
Texas | $95,070 |
Utah | $94,160 |
Virginia | $78,160 |
Washington | $72,320 |
West Virginia | $80,840 |
Wisconsin | $81,090 |
Wyoming | $79,970 |
What Tools & Technology do Chemistry Professors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Chemistry Professors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Google Docs
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Learning management system LMS
- Blackboard Learn
- Desire2Learn
- Course management system software
- Collaborative editing software
- Sakai CLE
- DOC Cop
- iParadigms Turnitin
- Image scanning software
- OriginLab Origin
How to Become a Chemistry Professor
What education or degrees do I need to become a Chemistry Professor?

What work experience do I need to become a Chemistry Professor?

Where Chemistry Professors Are Employed

The table below shows the approximate number of Chemistry Professors employed by various industries.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Chemistry Professor may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Chemistry Professor in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Sarah Chambers via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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