How much does a chemist make?
The median chemist in the United States earns $91,240 per year, about $43.87 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chemists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-2031.
Chemist salary range
Pay for chemists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $58,460 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $160,830. The average (mean) wage of $100,450 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,460 | $28.11 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $69,460 | $33.39 | |
| Median (50th) | $91,240 | $43.87 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $125,550 | $60.36 | |
| 90th percentile | $160,830 | $77.32 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chemists (SOC 19-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Chemist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chemists earn the most in District of Columbia at $149,860 a year, and the least in Montana at $61,890. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 | 280 |
| Maryland | $140,670 | 2,480 |
| Delaware | $129,860 | 1,200 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 | 3,430 |
| Alaska | $106,010 | 60 |
| Oregon | $104,590 | 730 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 | 740 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 | 80 |
| Colorado | $101,980 | 1,790 |
| Rhode Island | $101,660 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $100,050 | 300 |
| Texas | $99,640 | 5,130 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 | 1,680 |
| Connecticut | $98,140 | 1,170 |
| California | $97,860 | 9,820 |
| Alabama | $97,830 | 700 |
| Michigan | $97,440 | 3,490 |
| Washington | $97,420 | 2,280 |
| North Dakota | $97,330 | 160 |
| Virginia | $96,650 | 1,640 |
| Georgia | $92,750 | 1,260 |
| New York | $90,600 | 4,230 |
| Tennessee | $87,930 | 960 |
| Vermont | $86,120 | 80 |
| Iowa | $86,100 | 570 |
| West Virginia | $85,560 | 180 |
| Ohio | $85,270 | 4,010 |
| Illinois | $85,230 | 3,040 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 | 5,280 |
| Hawaii | $84,150 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $84,090 | 530 |
| Kansas | $82,820 | 690 |
| Missouri | $82,800 | 1,640 |
| Florida | $82,740 | 1,490 |
| North Carolina | $82,620 | 4,530 |
| Arizona | $81,730 | 870 |
| Nevada | $81,170 | 280 |
| Utah | $80,770 | 910 |
| Mississippi | $80,060 | 200 |
| South Carolina | $79,670 | 770 |
| Indiana | $78,770 | 2,480 |
| Wisconsin | $78,730 | 1,920 |
| Idaho | $78,000 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,090 | 6,800 |
| Arkansas | $75,570 | 380 |
| Oklahoma | $74,960 | 630 |
| Nebraska | $74,890 | 350 |
| South Dakota | $67,440 | 170 |
| Maine | $64,440 | 140 |
| Montana | $61,890 | 300 |
State median wages for chemists (SOC 19-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for chemists
The BLS projects employment of chemists to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 84,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 90,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,900 openings a year for chemists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a chemist
The typical entry-level education for chemists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chemist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $149,860) and the lowest (Montana, $61,890) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 82,770 people work as chemists in the United States. At $91,240 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chemist salary FAQ
How much does a chemist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a chemist is $43.87. The middle half of chemists earn between $33.39 and $60.36 per hour.
What is the highest chemist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chemists earn more than $160,830 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chemist make a year?
The median annual salary for a chemist is $91,240. The average (mean) wage of $100,450 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a chemist a well paid job?
At $91,240 a year, a chemist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 82,770 people work as chemists in the United States.
Which state pays chemists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for chemists at $149,860 a year. Maryland ($140,670) and Delaware ($129,860) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a chemist a good career?
Employment of chemists is projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chemist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chemists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Science salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.