Chemists Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $91,240 · Median hourly: $43.87 · Employment: 82,770
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| 25th | $69,460 | $33.39 |
| Median | $91,240 | $43.87 |
| 75th | $125,550 | $60.36 |
| 90th | $160,830 | $77.32 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-2031
- Total U.S. employment: 82,770
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What this means
The mean wage of $100,450 sits 10.1% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Chemists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $97,830 | $47.03 | +7.2% | 700 |
| Alaska | $106,010 | $50.96 | +16.2% | 60 |
| Arizona | $81,730 | $39.29 | -10.4% | 870 |
| Arkansas | $75,570 | $36.33 | -17.2% | 380 |
| California | $97,860 | $47.05 | +7.3% | 9,820 |
| Colorado | $101,980 | $49.03 | +11.8% | 1,790 |
| Connecticut | $98,140 | $47.18 | +7.6% | 1,170 |
| Delaware | $129,860 | $62.43 | +42.3% | 1,200 |
| District of Columbia | $149,860 | $72.05 | +64.2% | 280 |
| Florida | $82,740 | $39.78 | -9.3% | 1,490 |
| Georgia | $92,750 | $44.59 | +1.7% | 1,260 |
| Hawaii | $84,150 | $40.46 | -7.8% | 140 |
| Idaho | $78,000 | $37.50 | -14.5% | 320 |
| Illinois | $85,230 | $40.98 | -6.6% | 3,040 |
| Indiana | $78,770 | $37.87 | -13.7% | 2,480 |
| Iowa | $86,100 | $41.39 | -5.6% | 570 |
| Kansas | $82,820 | $39.82 | -9.2% | 690 |
| Kentucky | $84,090 | $40.43 | -7.8% | 530 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 | $49.95 | +13.9% | 740 |
| Maine | $64,440 | $30.98 | -29.4% | 140 |
| Maryland | $140,670 | $67.63 | +54.2% | 2,480 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 | $60.09 | +37.0% | 3,430 |
| Michigan | $97,440 | $46.85 | +6.8% | 3,490 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 | $47.73 | +8.8% | 1,680 |
| Mississippi | $80,060 | $38.49 | -12.3% | 200 |
| Missouri | $82,800 | $39.81 | -9.3% | 1,640 |
| Montana | $61,890 | $29.76 | -32.2% | 300 |
| Nebraska | $74,890 | $36.00 | -17.9% | 350 |
| Nevada | $81,170 | $39.02 | -11.0% | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $100,050 | $48.10 | +9.7% | 300 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 | $40.60 | -7.4% | 5,280 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 | $61.04 | +39.1% | 280 |
| New York | $90,600 | $43.56 | -0.7% | 4,230 |
| North Carolina | $82,620 | $39.72 | -9.4% | 4,530 |
| North Dakota | $97,330 | $46.80 | +6.7% | 160 |
| Ohio | $85,270 | $41.00 | -6.5% | 4,010 |
| Oklahoma | $74,960 | $36.04 | -17.8% | 630 |
| Oregon | $104,590 | $50.28 | +14.6% | 730 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,090 | $37.06 | -15.5% | 6,800 |
| Rhode Island | $101,660 | $48.88 | +11.4% | 150 |
| South Carolina | $79,670 | $38.30 | -12.7% | 770 |
| South Dakota | $67,440 | $32.42 | -26.1% | 170 |
| Tennessee | $87,930 | $42.27 | -3.6% | 960 |
| Texas | $99,640 | $47.90 | +9.2% | 5,130 |
| Utah | $80,770 | $38.83 | -11.5% | 910 |
| Vermont | $86,120 | $41.40 | -5.6% | 80 |
| Virginia | $96,650 | $46.47 | +5.9% | 1,640 |
| Washington | $97,420 | $46.84 | +6.8% | 2,280 |
| West Virginia | $85,560 | $41.14 | -6.2% | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $78,730 | $37.85 | -13.7% | 1,920 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 | $49.04 | +11.8% | 80 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for chemists?
The median annual wage for chemists is $91,240 ($43.87 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays chemists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many chemists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 82,770 chemists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do chemists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $43.87. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.