The biochem program at college is virtually identical to the chem program. there is about 10 more hours of biology (things like virology, microbiology and genetics) and 3 extra hours of biochemical chemistry classes, so the degrees are almost identical (naturally). In the job market, could an individual with a BS in chemistry function in the same jobs as a biochemist or visa versa?
IME, the pharmaceutical industries prefer chemists because of the skill set you are more likely to have (GC, HPLC, etc versus making agar plates and acrylamide gels). Industrial processing places will also more likely hire a chemist because of experience handling caustic chemicals or more knowledge of things like metals as opposed to proteins. If you want to work in an environmental lab, or a health position, then biochemistry is more likely to be the way to go.
Not all schools offer the same chem/biochem programs. The biochemistry program that I just completed had a LOT of focus on physical chemistry and all of my electives were organic chemsitry. In fact, there are only a handfull of courses which would be necessary for me to take to get the chemistry program requirements. Biochemistry programs in many schools are leaning towards the life sciences. In my mind, genetics, micro and virology are NOT a side of biochemistry that interests me, and someone familiar with these fields will not have the background to work as a chemist in many situations.
Look into many programs. See if your schools of interest have something along the lines of an organic chem major, if you want to go middle of the road until you learn what interests you. What I’m thinking of is this program, which is new at my school but is essentially what I did with my electives: http://www.chembio.uoguelph.ca/high_school/dp_biologicalchem.htm
Compare it to the other ones offered at Guelph to get an idea of the differences between it and Biochem and Chem. See if your schools have this, or if a path like this can be taken within the scope of another major.
Also, don’t worry too much about the jobs you can do with each degree. Both have a lot of options - they just don’t necessarily overlap. Do what interests you.
My experience is that when you get out into the “real world” you work yourself into the job you are going to do, regardless of degree. I see people with masters in EE doing the “same” job as people who have PhDs in Physics. I work in a field where we hire chemists, and we do have bio chemists working here (although the job has nothing to do with biology - they do have the basic skill sets). Your first job will likely be in your specialty, your second job may be outside your speciality as someone says “gee, I know this guy, he’s a biochemist, but he’s really bright and I think he’d do really well here.”