Chemist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Chemists Make?
Chemists earn a median annual salary of $84,150 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $53,210 at the 10th percentile to $154,430 at the 90th percentile — a range of $101,220. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $153,320.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,210 |
| 25th percentile | $63,930 |
| Median (50th) | $84,150 |
| 75th percentile | $120,210 |
| 90th percentile | $154,430 |
Chemist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $153,320 |
| New Mexico | $134,370 |
| Maryland | $131,910 |
| Massachusetts | $126,970 |
| Delaware | $125,430 |
| Louisiana | $109,150 |
| West Virginia | $108,010 |
| Texas | $101,260 |
| Virginia | $99,810 |
| Colorado | $97,380 |
| Rhode Island | $97,300 |
| Illinois | $97,170 |
| California | $97,010 |
| Alabama | $96,000 |
| Alaska | $95,300 |
| Georgia | $94,890 |
| Washington | $92,860 |
| Connecticut | $88,340 |
| New Jersey | $85,010 |
| Oregon | $84,150 |
| New York | $83,690 |
| Hawaii | $83,200 |
| Minnesota | $82,040 |
| Iowa | $81,830 |
| New Hampshire | $81,780 |
| Missouri | $81,720 |
| Vermont | $81,460 |
| Michigan | $81,410 |
| Ohio | $80,360 |
| Oklahoma | $79,990 |
| Kentucky | $79,800 |
| North Dakota | $79,350 |
| Arizona | $79,330 |
| North Carolina | $78,400 |
| Mississippi | $78,260 |
| South Carolina | $77,900 |
| Utah | $77,270 |
| Wyoming | $76,570 |
| Indiana | $75,880 |
| Wisconsin | $75,020 |
| Florida | $74,860 |
| Nevada | $72,810 |
| Arkansas | $71,080 |
| Nebraska | $67,880 |
| Kansas | $66,310 |
| Tennessee | $65,340 |
| South Dakota | $64,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,450 |
| Montana | $60,100 |
| Idaho | $59,460 |
| Maine | $58,750 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Chemists
Chemist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$53,210 – $63,930 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$84,150 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$120,210 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $154,430+ |
How to Earn More as a Chemist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Chemists in District of Columbia earn $153,320 — $69,170 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($120,210) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Chemist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Chemistthis career | $84,150 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $161,180 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineer | $106,950 |
| Chemical Engineer | $121,860 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,140 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 19-2031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.