What will I earn with a chemistry qualification

Chemical scientists’ median salary is £38,590* which is £7,500 more than the UK median average for other job postings. (Lightcast data 2023).

The chemical sciences workforce is projected to grow 30% faster than the overall UK labour market by 2032.

The 2025/26 What Do Graduates Do report showed that without further study the average salary for female chemistry graduates was £30,001, and for male chemistry graduates was £29,975.
Chemistry graduates had a 51% likelihood of being in full-time employment (15 months after graduation), and among those in full-time employment chemistry graduates reported a rate of high-skilled employment of 80%.
Chemistry graduates were more likely to be in science-related roles, comparable to other science subjects (biology, physics, physical and geograhical sciences, sports science), with 32% taking on roles in this area. The top five jobs held by chemistry graduates were: chemical scientist, laboratory technician, secondary teacher, chartered and certified accountant, and engineering professional. 19.2% went onto further study to gain a master’s, PhD or postgraduate diploma or certificate (such as PGCE). Science graduates are in demand in sectors that seek to solve some of the biggest challenges that we face, such as human healthcare and environmental degradation, as we seek a sustainable future.
Chemistry is a major UK industry, contributing £60.5 billion to the economy in 2023, an increase of 18% since 2019.
Around 327,500 people were employed in chemistry-related roles in the UK in 2023. (See The contribution of chemistry: Understanding how chemistry capability translates into economic value across the UK)

*Salaries depend on a large number of factors, including qualifications required, location, experience, size and type of the organisation.