How much does a chemistry teacher make?
The median chemistry teacher in the United States earns $93,250 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chemistry teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1052.
Chemistry teacher salary range
Pay for chemistry teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $57,870 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $172,110. The average (mean) wage of $105,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,870 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $68,530 | |
| Median (50th) | $93,250 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $127,280 | |
| 90th percentile | $172,110 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chemistry teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Chemistry teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chemistry teachers earn the most in California at $132,960 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $64,450. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $132,960 | 1,650 |
| North Dakota | $111,020 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $108,270 | 820 |
| Delaware | $104,610 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $104,380 | 430 |
| Arizona | $103,790 | 210 |
| District of Columbia | $103,370 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $102,220 | 70 |
| Utah | $102,110 | 200 |
| Nevada | $101,640 | 60 |
| Maryland | $101,530 | 310 |
| Oregon | $101,350 | 460 |
| Michigan | $101,030 | 560 |
| Rhode Island | $100,920 | 110 |
| New York | $99,880 | 1,840 |
| Illinois | $97,860 | 880 |
| Colorado | $96,600 | 330 |
| Pennsylvania | $95,070 | 1,270 |
| Kansas | $93,830 | 170 |
| Washington | $85,970 | 390 |
| Georgia | $85,300 | 500 |
| Maine | $85,250 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $85,240 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $85,050 | 150 |
| Montana | $84,680 | 80 |
| Louisiana | $83,680 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $83,480 | 450 |
| Missouri | $83,000 | 460 |
| Wyoming | $82,830 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $82,550 | 250 |
| Iowa | $82,050 | 230 |
| West Virginia | $81,830 | 90 |
| Texas | $81,810 | 1,470 |
| New Jersey | $81,600 | 750 |
| Indiana | $81,530 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $81,200 | 270 |
| Virginia | $80,330 | 760 |
| Tennessee | $79,150 | 370 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | 350 |
| North Carolina | $78,620 | 900 |
| Vermont | $78,560 | 90 |
| Ohio | $77,910 | 700 |
| Florida | $77,630 | 340 |
| Alabama | $76,430 | 310 |
| South Dakota | $75,810 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $66,420 | 130 |
| Arkansas | $64,720 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $64,450 | 220 |
State median wages for chemistry teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1052), 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 chemistry teachers
The BLS projects employment of chemistry teachers to grow 2.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 24,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 25,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,700 openings a year for chemistry teachers. 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 chemistry teacher
The typical entry-level education for chemistry teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chemistry teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $132,960) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $64,450) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 19,980 people work as chemistry teachers in the United States. At $93,250 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chemistry teacher salary FAQ
How much does a chemistry teacher make an hour?
Chemistry teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $93,250.
What is the highest chemistry teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chemistry teachers earn more than $172,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chemistry teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a chemistry teacher is $93,250. The average (mean) wage of $105,210 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 chemistry teacher a well paid job?
At $93,250 a year, a chemistry teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 19,980 people work as chemistry teachers in the United States.
Which state pays chemistry teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for chemistry teachers at $132,960 a year. North Dakota ($111,020) and Massachusetts ($108,270) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a chemistry teacher a good career?
Employment of chemistry teachers is projected to grow 2.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chemistry teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chemistry teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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