Chemistry vs. Chemical Engineering

Hi everyone! Hoping for a bit of advice. I am a current part time student working full time and trying to make some headway on my education. I have only been taking two classes a semester, so obviously any degrerrors will take ages. Very soon I will be able to quit working and go to school full time. Now here is my question.

I am 26 years old, with 27 credit hours. Even once I can go to school full time, I’m a bit on the old side to be starting. I have heard most employers want younger people especially if you are hoping to continue your education through them. More years to return on their investment.

I love science, especially chemistry. I wanted to be a chemist. Work in a lab. Research and development or environmental work. However from what I understand chemists don’t get paid the greatest withing only an undergrad degree. While I want a masters, I’m already so far behind in the game I am concerned about being 30+ before I can get a good job.

I understand chemical engineers make good money even with only a bachelors. This catches my attention. I don’t mind math, and I enjoyed my high school physics class though I haven’t taken any in college. I prefer to be in a lab experimenting but with my situation I am wondering if I would be better off with chemical engineering. Thoughts and opinions? Advice? Thanks guys!

Are you prepared to work more with math and physics than chemistry though? It’s not just that ChemE also includes math and physics but that a lot of times it prioritizes those over chemistry.

I mean I prefer chemistry. Definitely. But I’m not afraid of math or physics. I just want something mentally challenging that I can make decent money at before I’m in my upper 30s.