Chemists vs Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers: $91K vs $102K Median Pay

Chemists vs Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers: what changes?

Consider Chemists if you want to conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge. Consider Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers if you would rather study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Chemists and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Chemists

National median pay (2025): $91,240
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 5,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Chemists brief

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

National median pay (2025): $101,920
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,800

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers brief

How the national numbers differ

Chemists has the edge on annual openings

Chemists is at 5,900 annual openings, compared with 1,800 annual openings for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers.

Typical preparation differs.

Chemists: Bachelor's degree Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers: Bachelor's degree Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

Chemists has the edge on projected growth

Chemists is at 6.4% projected growth, compared with 5.1% projected growth for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on median pay

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers is at $101,920, compared with $91,240 for Chemists.

64.2/ 100

Chemists

53.6/ 100

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

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