Career Opportunities and Benefits
York College’s well-rounded BS in Cannabinoid Chemistry can lead to a successful career in the cannabis industry and many other fields such as healthcare, industrial laboratories, agriculture, government agencies, and academics.
Close instruction and hands-on experience in laboratory practices and chemical instrumentation ready students for similar careers such as hops analysis in breweries, essential oil purification and analysis, drug and pharmaceutical analysis, or quality control. Students can also use their training in cannabis extraction science to inform a career in business, education, law, regulation, or compliance.
Cannabis Industry Career Preparation
Trained chemists are highly essential to the cannabis industry as well as the food and medicinal plant science fields. You’ll learn how to extract and analyze better plant materials and gain a well-rounded general education informing professional success. Roles that you may be hired for include:
- Cultivation technician
- Cannabis chemist
- Analytical chemist
- Extraction technician
- Lab testing professional
- Scientist
- Researcher
- Product developer
- Agricultural chemist
- Environmental scientist
- Toxicologist
The professional development and leadership opportunities available in YCP’s bachelor’s program also demonstrate to future employers in the cannabis, brewing, and other chemical extraction industries your potential to move into management positions, such as cultivation/growing manager, extraction/processing manager, or quality control manager.
Through academic advising and student-driven projects, the Cannabinoid Chemistry major elevates students to work in and research specific areas of cannabis science, including CBD use and benefits and community outreach and education.
More Careers in Plant Science
In addition to learning extraction processing and analysis, the Cannabinoid Chemistry major promotes success and expertise in other areas like growing production, regulations, sales, marketing, and business, product, and brand management.
Graduates of the BS in Cannabinoid Chemistry degree are also prepared to apply for graduate programs to study cannabis science or related fields such as chemistry, forensic science, business, or law. Earning further credentials at the graduate level opens opportunities to advanced career pathways, including:
- Biochemistry educator or researcher
- Plant geneticist
- Pharmacological or medical researcher
Backed by knowledge in cannabis science, careers in sales and marketing, product development, product lifecycle management, and business or brand consulting reflect a high earning potential as you gain professional experience.
Cannabis Science Career Salaries
Chemists trained in techniques that produce consistent high-quality plants and plant extracts and optimize yield are highly sought-after. The following are average annual salaries for roles that exist in medicinal plant extraction science:
- Chemist - $76,740 per year
- Laboratory analyst - $50,464 per year
- Analytical chemist - $62,640 per year
- Scientist - $79,134 per year
- Laboratory director - $98,400 per year