Chemistry Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Chemistry Teachers Make?
Chemistry Teachers earn a median annual salary of $86,220 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $52,870 at the 10th percentile to $171,600 at the 90th percentile — a range of $118,730. The highest-paying state is California at $132,250.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,870 |
| 25th percentile | $64,980 |
| Median (50th) | $86,220 |
| 75th percentile | $125,920 |
| 90th percentile | $171,600 |
Chemistry Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $132,250 |
| Kansas | $110,810 |
| North Dakota | $106,540 |
| Arizona | $106,430 |
| Utah | $105,090 |
| Nevada | $101,910 |
| New Jersey | $101,800 |
| New York | $101,610 |
| Minnesota | $100,000 |
| District of Columbia | $99,550 |
| Michigan | $98,910 |
| Rhode Island | $98,630 |
| Massachusetts | $98,050 |
| Oregon | $97,550 |
| Illinois | $95,270 |
| Maryland | $88,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,590 |
| Connecticut | $86,650 |
| Montana | $85,920 |
| New Hampshire | $85,860 |
| Wisconsin | $84,910 |
| Delaware | $84,170 |
| North Carolina | $83,390 |
| Iowa | $82,560 |
| Kentucky | $82,520 |
| Missouri | $82,390 |
| Georgia | $82,200 |
| New Mexico | $81,800 |
| Washington | $81,680 |
| Indiana | $81,010 |
| Tennessee | $80,650 |
| West Virginia | $80,560 |
| Louisiana | $80,540 |
| South Carolina | $80,310 |
| Texas | $79,830 |
| Wyoming | $79,720 |
| Oklahoma | $79,180 |
| Nebraska | $78,950 |
| Virginia | $78,780 |
| Idaho | $77,880 |
| Alabama | $77,200 |
| Mississippi | $77,100 |
| South Dakota | $76,770 |
| Colorado | $76,630 |
| Ohio | $75,920 |
| Arkansas | $67,450 |
| Vermont | $66,360 |
| Florida | $56,230 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Chemistry Teachers
Chemistry Teacher 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) | ~$52,870 – $64,980 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$86,220 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$125,920 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $171,600+ |
How to Earn More as a Chemistry Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Chemistry Teachers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $152,150 — $65,930 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 ($125,920) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Chemistry Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Chemistry Teacherthis career | $86,220 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $161,180 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineer | $106,950 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicist | $103,650 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologist | $93,330 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Chemistry Teacher requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 25-1052.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.