Chemists Salary (2025)
Based on 82,770 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $58,460 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $69,460 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $91,240 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $125,550 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $160,830 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$58K
25th
$69K
Median
$91K
75th
$126K
90th
$161K
Highest Paying States for Chemists
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $148,840 |
| Maryland | $139,100 |
| Massachusetts | $128,930 |
| New Mexico | $128,630 |
| Delaware | $122,170 |
| Oregon | $111,320 |
| Texas | $106,830 |
| California | $106,810 |
| Louisiana | $106,810 |
| Colorado | $106,480 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Chemists salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is District of Columbia at an average of $148,840 per year, while Colorado has an average of $106,480 — a difference of $42,360. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Chemists
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 82,770 workers were employed as Chemistss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. The annual mean wage of $100,450 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 19-2031