Chemistryat University of California-Berkeley
Graduates earn $59,576/yr in their first year — about 44.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $583K; scenarios range from $530K to $589K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley
Your Berkeley Chemistry degree, forged in a globally renowned department, provides an exceptional foundation, particularly in the innovation-rich Bay Area. The region's dense network of biotech, pharmaceutical, and cutting-edge tech firms actively recruits these rigorously trained analytical minds, driving competitive outcomes. This isn't just about bench chemistry; your comprehensive problem-solving skills are highly transferable, explaining why many graduates successfully pivot into data science, R&D management, or computational roles within tech, leveraging the school's strong reputation and local industry connections. While automation is a factor across many fields, your deep understanding of chemical principles remains invaluable for innovation. To truly maximize your trajectory, actively seek interdisciplinary experiences—perhaps a minor in data science or research involving computational methods—to broaden your skillset and unlock the widest range of high-impact opportunities.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Berkeley's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Chemistry
How UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Berkeley
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Chemistry offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Chemistry at UC Berkeley
How does University of California-Berkeley's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 64/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Chemistry graduates.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Berkeley rank so high for Chemistry?
The #31 ranking out of 205 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.