Chemists Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
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). 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. Heading for a US interview? Interview prep guides cover the standard question frameworks.
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 →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 |
Recommended Gear & Prep
Many people pair this data with a salary negotiation guide before accepting an offer.
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-07-18