Chemists Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 19-2031As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for chemists in the United States is $91,240 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) — real government survey data, not an algorithmic salary estimate. Pay ranges from $58,460 at the 10th percentile to $160,830 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Chemical scientists) has a median of £39,668 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Signing a US offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,460 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $69,460 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $91,240 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $125,550 | Experienced |
| 90th | $160,830 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →A new job often means a new city, car or mortgage application — check your score first. 7-day trial for $1.
Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 | $148,840 | 280 |
| Maryland | $140,670 | $139,100 | 2,000 |
| Delaware | $129,860 | $122,170 | 1,000 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 | $128,630 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 | $128,930 | 3,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 | $104,520 | 60 |
| Oregon | $104,590 | $111,320 | 730 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 | $106,810 | 740 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 | $99,310 | 80 |
| Colorado | $101,980 | $106,480 | 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | $101,660 | $106,450 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $100,050 | $99,570 | 300 |
| Texas | $99,640 | $106,830 | 5,000 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 | $102,390 | 2,000 |
| Connecticut | $98,140 | $104,030 | 1,000 |
| California | $97,860 | $106,810 | 10,000 |
| Alabama | $97,830 | $101,710 | 700 |
| Michigan | $97,440 | $101,210 | 3,000 |
| Washington | $97,420 | $104,480 | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | $97,330 | $94,470 | 160 |
| Virginia | $96,650 | $104,120 | 2,000 |
| Georgia | $92,750 | $96,910 | 1,000 |
| New York | $90,600 | $100,920 | 4,000 |
| Tennessee | $87,930 | $88,400 | 960 |
| Vermont | $86,120 | $92,730 | 80 |
| Iowa | $86,100 | $94,080 | 570 |
| West Virginia | $85,560 | $92,500 | 180 |
| Ohio | $85,270 | $94,470 | 4,000 |
| Illinois | $85,230 | $98,420 | 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 | $96,980 | 5,000 |
| Hawaii | $84,150 | $90,030 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $84,090 | $86,740 | 530 |
| Kansas | $82,820 | $88,190 | 690 |
| Missouri | $82,800 | $92,000 | 2,000 |
| Florida | $82,740 | $91,600 | 1,000 |
| North Carolina | $82,620 | $90,800 | 5,000 |
| Arizona | $81,730 | $92,120 | 870 |
| Nevada | $81,170 | $86,700 | 280 |
| Utah | $80,770 | $85,710 | 910 |
| Mississippi | $80,060 | $87,580 | 200 |
| South Carolina | $79,670 | $90,130 | 770 |
| Indiana | $78,770 | $88,080 | 2,000 |
| Wisconsin | $78,730 | $82,560 | 2,000 |
| Idaho | $78,000 | $86,120 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,090 | $87,990 | 7,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $76,450 | $78,560 | 810 |
| Arkansas | $75,570 | $86,800 | 380 |
| Oklahoma | $74,960 | $81,250 | 630 |
| Nebraska | $74,890 | $84,560 | 350 |
| South Dakota | $67,440 | $72,750 | 170 |
| Maine | $64,440 | $70,750 | 140 |
| Montana | $61,890 | $71,860 | 300 |
Tools for Remote & Hybrid Workers
Remote and hybrid roles are now standard — a VPN protects client data on any network.
Get NordVPN →Protect client data and accounts on home and public networks.
Get Surfshark →Wills, powers of attorney and trusts — downloadable legal templates for US residents.
Browse LawDepot →Recommended Gear & Prep
Many people pair this data with a salary negotiation guide before accepting an offer.
How Does This Compare to the UK?
Chemists is the US equivalent of chemical scientists in the UK, which has a national median of £39,668. Figures are shown in local currency, not converted — cost of living, tax systems and benefits packages differ enough between the two countries that a currency conversion alone would be misleading. See the full UK breakdown, or use our comparison tool to set this role against another job title side by side, with location and experience-level filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a chemists in the US?
The US national median wage for chemists is $91,240 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for chemists in the US?
Pay ranges from $58,460 at the 10th percentile to $160,830 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay chemists the most?
The highest-paying states for chemists include District of Columbia ($149,860), Maryland ($140,670), Delaware ($129,860). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does chemists salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($149,860) pays roughly 142% more than Montana ($61,890). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
How does chemists pay compare between the US and UK?
The UK equivalent role (Chemical scientists) has a national median of £39,668. Figures are shown in local currency rather than converted, since cost of living and tax systems differ enough between the two countries that a straight currency conversion would be misleading.
← Back to the UK-focused chemical scientists salary page
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-09-02