phd in chemistry salary in us

Advertisement

• Publications

This site uses cookies to enhance your user experience. By continuing to use this site you are agreeing to our COOKIE POLICY .

Grab your lab coat. Let's get started

Create an account below to get 6 c&en articles per month, receive newsletters and more - all free., it seems this is your first time logging in online. please enter the following information to continue., as an acs member you automatically get access to this site. all we need is few more details to create your reading experience., not you sign in with a different account..

Password and Confirm password must match.

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

Already have an ACS ID? Log in here

The key to knowledge is in your (nitrile-gloved) hands

Access more articles now. choose the acs option that’s right for you..

Already an ACS Member? Log in here  

$0 Community Associate

ACS’s Basic Package keeps you connected with C&EN and ACS.

• Access to 6 digital C&EN articles per month on cen.acs.org
• Weekly delivery of the C&EN Essential newsletter

$80 Regular Members & Society Affiliates

ACS’s Standard Package lets you stay up to date with C&EN, stay active in ACS, and save.

• Access to 10 digital C&EN articles per month on cen.acs.org
• Weekly delivery of the digital C&EN Magazine
• Access to our Chemistry News by C&EN mobile app

$160 Regular Members & Society Affiliates $55 Graduate Students $25 Undergraduate Students

ACS’s Premium Package gives you full access to C&EN and everything the ACS Community has to offer.

• Unlimited access to C&EN’s daily news coverage on cen.acs.org
• Weekly delivery of the C&EN Magazine in print or digital format
• Significant discounts on registration for most ACS-sponsored meetings

Your account has been created successfully, and a confirmation email is on the way.

Your username is now your ACS ID.

What US chemists made in 2021, according to the ACS salary survey

Overall salaries were down slightly, but industry members saw increases from 2020, by andrea widener, october 31, 2021 | a version of this story appeared in volume 99, issue 40.

Credit: C&EN/Shutterstock

• 9 ways to motivate others
• Out and proud
• What US chemists made in 2022, according to the ACS salary survey
• Gianluigi Veglia sexually harassed his students and lab staff but wasn’t fired
• Making space in STEM for people with disabilities

Salary Survey 2021

Salary breakdown by demographics

Salary breakdown by region, unemployment, who took the survey.

Click here to see the most recent salary survey results

Overall, American Chemical Society members have fared well economically through the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the society’s 2021 salary survey. Median annual salaries were down only slightly, according to the survey of 5,488 members, which was conducted from May 7 to June 23, 2021.

Members who work in industry were the one group that saw salaries rise. That increase could be explained, at least in part, by the booming biotech and pharmaceutical sectors . Salaries dropped for members who work in academia and government.

Download a PDF of the print version of this story here .

Note: Not all of the data presented on this webpage is included in the PDF.

The unemployment rate for ACS members increased slightly, rising to 1.8% from 1.5% in 2020. That is still lower than unemployment had been for the previous 20 years; 2020 was the first time it had fallen below 2% since ACS began collecting data.

ACS publishes C&EN, but C&EN remains editorially independent of ACS. C&EN publishes the ACS salary survey because similar data on chemists’ salaries are not available from other sources. C&EN does not play a role in designing the survey questions, conducting the survey, or analyzing the results. C&EN requested specific data from the ACS salary survey team.

Note for all data: Data are from 5,488 American Chemical Society members’ survey responses collected from May 7 to June 23, 2021, except when other years’ data are shown. Salaries reflect the median annual salaries for full-time US employees except for students, members over 70, and international members.

Industry was the only sector with salary increases

Salaries have increased steadily since 1985 when viewed in current dollars

Note: Current dollars are the value in the year the salary was reported. Data are missing for 2017 and 2018 because of changes to the survey. For more explanation, see the 2019 salary report at cenm.ag/salarysurvey2019 .

But salaries have been decreasing when adjusted for inflation

Note: Salaries were adjusted for inflation using 1985 as the base year. Data are missing for 2017 and 2018 because of changes to the survey. For more explanation, see the 2019 salary report at cenm.ag/salarysurvey2019 .

Chemical engineers made more than chemists

Men made significantly more than women

Note: Salaries for additional genders are not reported because of the small number of people who responded in those categories.

White respondents earned the highest salaries

Note: Respondents could choose more than one race and could additionally denote their Hispanic/Latino identity in response to a separate question. Salaries for additional races and ethnicities are not reported because of the small number of people who responded in those categories.

Salaries continued to vary widely by region. In some cases, bachelor's degree recipients made more than those with a master's degree

West North Central

West South Central

East North Central

East South Central

South Atlantic

Middle Atlantic

New England

Unemployment for ACS members fell drastically in 2020 right before the pandemic started to affect the economy

But unemployment returned to 2019 levels for those with master's and bachelor's degrees.

Note: Numbers reflect unemployment status as of March 1 in the indicated year. The margin of error for the 2021 overall unemployment rate is ±1.5 percentage points.

These are the US ACS members who took the 2021 survey

More respondents worked in academia than industry.

Most had a doctoral degree

Most respondents were native US citizens

Note: Numbers were rounded to 100%.

Most respondents were men

Note: Numbers were rounded to 100%. a Additional groups include genderqueer or gender nonconforming, transgender male, transgender female, and different identity.

Respondents were predominantly White

Note: Numbers do not add to 100% because respondents could choose more than one race and could additionally denote their Hispanic/Latino identity in response to a separate question. a Additional groups include American Indian, Alaska Native, First Nations, Aboriginal Australian, or other Indigenous group; Black/African; Caribbean; Middle Eastern/North African; Native American; and self-descriptions.

The largest proportion of respondents were 45–54 years old, and the average age was 44.5

Only a small fraction identified themselves as disabled

These are the top 10 sectors in which respondents worked, outside education.

Those in education fields worked in a variety of jobs, and men significantly outnumbered women in tenure-track faculty positions

Note: Additional groups include genderqueer or gender nonconforming, transgender male or female, and different identity.

You might also like...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Linkedin
• Share on Reddit

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

Join the conversation

Contact the reporter

Submit a Letter to the Editor for publication

Engage with us on Twitter

The power is now in your (nitrile gloved) hands

Sign up for a free account to get more articles. or choose the acs option that’s right for you..

Already have an ACS ID? Log in

Create a free account To read 6 articles each month from

Join acs to get even more access to.

PhD, Professor, and Postdoc Salaries in the United States

The United States is home to several of the world’s best universities making it a top destination for international researchers. Here’s a breakdown of the most common American job titles and their associated average annual salaries. All salary statistics in this article are in American Dollars (USD) and are pre-tax.

PhD Student

A Master’s degree is not always required to do a PhD in the US. Several top universities offer direct entry PhD programs. An American PhD begins with two to three years of coursework in order to pass qualifying exams. During this time doctoral students are able to develop their research interests and hone in on their thesis topic. They will then write a thesis proposal which must be approved before they can start their dissertation. Most programs require PhD students to gain two to three years of teaching experience as well, either by leading their own class or as teaching assistants for a professor. It takes an average of six years to earn a PhD in the US.

Unlike some European countries, there is no mandated minimum salary or national salary scale for PhD students in the US. PhD students ear n between $ 15,000 and $30,000 a year depending on their institution, field of study, and location. This stipend can be tax-free (if it is a fellowship award) or taxable (if it is a salary e.g from a teaching position). American PhD students are usually only paid for nine months of the year but many programs offer summer funding opportunities. A PhD funding package will also include a full or partial tuition waiver.

After earning a PhD, many researchers go on to a postdoc. A postdoc is a continuation of the researcher’s training that allows them to further specialize in a particular field and learn new techniques. Postdoc positions are usually two to three years and it is not unusual to do more than one postdoc. There is no limit on the number of years you can be a postdoc in the US. The average salary (2023 ) for postdocs in the US is $61,143 per year.

A lecturer is a non-tenure-track teaching position. They often have a higher teaching load than tenure track-faculty and no research obligations. These positions are more common in the humanities or as foreign language instructors. Lecturers hold advanced degrees, though not always PhDs. The average salary for a full time lecturer in 2021-2022 according to the American Association of University Professors was $69,499.

Assistant Professor

This is the start of the tenure track. An assistant professor is responsible for teaching, research, and service to the institution (committee membership). Assistant professors typically teach two to four courses per semester while also supervising graduate students. They are also expected to be active researchers and publish books, monographs, papers, and journal articles to meet their tenure requirements. The average salary for assistant professors in 2021-2022 was $85,063 according to the American Association of University Professors . 

Associate Professor

An assistant professor who has been granted tenure is then promoted to an associate professor. An associate professor often has a national reputation and is involved in service activities beyond their university. The average salary for associate professors in 2021-2022 was $97,734 according to the American Association of University Professors . 

This is the final destination of the tenure track. Five to seven years after receiving tenure, associate professors go through another review. If they are successful, they are promoted to the rank of professor (sometimes called full professor). Professors usually have a record of accomplishment that has established them as an international or national leader in their field. The average salary for professors in 2021-2022 according to the American Association of University Professors was $143,823. 

Discover related jobs

Discover similar employers

Accelerate your academic career

PhD, Postdoc, and Professor Salaries in Denmark

Interested in working in Denmark? Learn how much PhD students, postdocs,...

10 Tips for First Time Teaching Assistants

Great teachers make teaching seem effortless, but teaching can be hard—e...

"I found my PhD position on Academic Positions."

When I started looking for positions abroad in Sweden, I came across a p...

How to Write a PhD Elevator Pitch

How many times have you been asked, “What do you research?” only to draw...

Professor Salaries From Around the World

Academic salaries can vary widely depending on rank, country, and instit...

6 Ways to Make Yourself More Employable

Here are some things you can do in the to stand out on the job market.

Jobs by field

• Machine Learning 200
• Artificial Intelligence 182
• Electrical Engineering 176
• Programming Languages 139
• Molecular Biology 119
• Materials Chemistry 107
• Engineering Physics 106
• Electronics 100
• Cell Biology 99
• Algorithms 99

Jobs by type

• Postdoc 326
• Assistant / Associate Professor 201
• Professor 119
• Research assistant 108
• Researcher 106
• Lecturer / Senior Lecturer 93
• Tenure Track 70
• Engineer 57
• Management / Leadership 53

Jobs by country

• Belgium 291
• Netherlands 194
• Switzerland 106
• Germany 105
• Luxembourg 57

Jobs by employer

• Mohammed VI Polytechnic Unive... 88
• KU Leuven 88
• Ghent University 74
• Eindhoven University of Techn... 64
• University of Twente 56
• University of Luxembourg 55
• ETH Zürich 53
• KTH Royal Institute of Techno... 51
• Wenzhou-Kean University 35

This website uses cookies

Jump to navigation

Search form

The Graduate School

• Faculty/Staff Resources
• Programs of Study Browse the list of MSU Colleges, Departments, and Programs
• Graduate Degree List Graduate degrees offered by Michigan State University
• Research Integrity Guidelines that recognize the rights and responsibilities of researchers
• Online Programs Find all relevant pre-application information for all of MSU’s online and hybrid degree and certificate programs
• Graduate Specializations A subdivision of a major for specialized study which is indicated after the major on official transcripts
• Graduate Certificates Non-degree-granting programs to expand student knowledge and understanding about a key topic
• Interdisciplinary Graduate Study Curricular and co-curricular opportunities for advanced study that crosses disciplinary boundaries
• Theses and Dissertations Doctoral and Plan A document submission process
• Policies and Procedures important documents relating to graduate students, mentoring, research, and teaching
• Academic Programs Catalog Listing of academic programs, policies and related information
• Traveling Scholar Doctoral students pursue studies at other BTAA institutions
• Apply Now Graduate Departments review applicants based on their criteria and recommends admission to the Office of Admissions
• International Applicants Application information specific to international students
• PhD Public Data Ph.D. Program Admissions, Enrollments, Completions, Time to Degree, and Placement Data
• Costs of Graduate School Tools to estimate costs involved with graduate education
• Recruitment Awards Opportunities for departments to utilize recruitment funding
• Readmission When enrollment is interrupted for three or more consecutive terms
• Assistantships More than 3,000 assistantships are available to qualified graduate students
• Fellowships Financial support to pursue graduate studies
• Research Support Find funding for your research
• Travel Funding Find funding to travel and present your research
• External Funding Find funding outside of MSU sources
• Workshops/Events Find opportunities provided by The Graduate School and others
• Research Opportunities and programs for Research at MSU
• Career Development Programs to help you get the career you want
• Teaching Development Resources, workshops, and development opportunities to advance your preparation in teaching
• Cohort Fellowship Programs Spartans are stronger together!
• The Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (BGHS) A national network society for students who have traditionally been underrepresented
• Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) A gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities
• Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) A community that supports retention, and graduation of underrepresented doctoral students
• Recruitment and Outreach Ongoing outreach activities by The Graduate School
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Funding Funding resources to recruit diverse students
• Graduate Student Organizations MSU has over 900 registered student organizations
• Grad School Office of Well-Being Collaborates with graduate students in their pursuit of their advanced degree and a well-balanced life
• Housing and Living in MI MSU has an on and off-campus housing site to help find the perfect place to stay
• Mental Health Support MSU has several offices and systems to provide students with the mental health support that they need
• Spouse and Family Resources MSU recognizes that students with families have responsibilities that present challenges unique to this population
• Health Insurance Health insurance info for graduate student assistants and students in general at MSU
• Safety and Security MSU is committed to cultivating a safe and inclusive campus community characterized by a culture of safety and respect
• Why Mentoring Matters To Promote Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education at MSU
• Guidelines Guidelines and tools intended to foster faculty-graduate student relationships
• Toolkit A set of resources for support units, faculty and graduate students
• Workshops Workshops covering important topics related to mentor professional development
• About the Graduate School We support graduate students in every program at MSU
• Strategic Plan Our Vision, Values, Mission, and Goals
• Social Media Connect with the Graduate School!
• History Advancing Graduate Education at MSU for over 25 years
• Staff Directory
• Driving Directions

PhD Salaries and Lifetime Earnings

PhDs employed across job sectors show impressive earning potential:

“…[T]here is strong evidence that advanced education levels continue to be associated with higher salaries. A study by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce showed that across the fields examined, individuals with a graduate degree earned an average of 38.3% more than those with a bachelor’s degree in the same field. The expected lifetime earnings for someone without a high school degree is $973,000; with a high school diploma, $1.3 million; with a bachelor’s degree, $2.3 million; with a master’s degree, $2.7 million; and with a doctoral degree (excluding professional degrees), $3.3 million. Other data indicate that the overall unemployment rate for individuals who hold graduate degrees is far lower than for those who hold just an undergraduate degree.” - Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers , Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) and Educational Testing Service (ETS), pg. 3.

Average salaries by educational level and degree (data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2009-2011, courtesy of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce):

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports higher earnings and lower unemployment rates for doctoral degree holders in comparison to those with master’s and bachelor’s degrees:

According to national studies, more education translates not only to higher earnings, but also higher levels of job success and job satisfaction:

“Educational attainment – the number of years a person spends in school – strongly predicts adult earnings, and also predicts health and civic engagement. Moreover, individuals with higher levels of education appear to gain more knowledge and skills on the job than do those with lower levels of education and they are able, to some extent, to transfer what they learn across occupations.” - Education for Life and Work (2012), National Research Council of the National Academies, pg. 66.

• Call us: (517) 353-3220
• Contact Information
• Privacy Statement
• Site Accessibility
• Call MSU: (517) 355-1855
• Visit: msu.edu
• MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
• Notice of Nondiscrimination
• Spartans Will.
• © Michigan State University