Chemistryat University of Florida
Graduates earn $25,418/yr in their first year — about 38.0% below the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $691K; scenarios range from $607K to $703K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Florida
The earnings profile for UF Chemistry suggests many graduates pursue paths with delayed financial returns, like medical school, pharmacy school, or advanced research degrees. Gainesville isn't a major biotech or pharmaceutical industry hub, meaning fewer high-paying, direct-from-undergrad industry jobs are immediately available locally. Many students leverage UF's strong research reputation to secure competitive graduate school placements or entry-level lab technician roles that serve as foundational experience. The high AI risk also points to a shift away from routine lab work towards more specialized or interdisciplinary roles. If you pursue this major, proactively seek out internships in emerging fields like computational chemistry or materials science, and consider a minor in data science or computer science to enhance your marketability for those higher-earning career paths.
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 University of Florida'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 University of Florida stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Florida
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Florida, 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 University of Florida
What does a 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemistry at University of Florida?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Chemistry programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemistry at University of Florida?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Florida a good choice for Chemistry despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Florida's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.