SOC 19-2031 · May 2025 · United States
Chemists
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Chemists across the United States is $91,240 per year, measured over 82,770 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $149,860.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Chemists
Pay for this occupation varies by 142.1% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $149,860 and Montana pays $61,890.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $149,860 | 280 | |
| 2 | Maryland | $140,670 | 2,480 | |
| 3 | Delaware | $129,860 | 1,200 | |
| 4 | New Mexico | $126,960 | 280 | |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $125,000 | 3,430 | |
| 6 | Alaska | $106,010 | 60 | |
| 7 | Oregon | $104,590 | 730 | |
| 8 | Louisiana | $103,890 | 740 | |
| 9 | Wyoming | $102,000 | 80 | |
| 10 | Colorado | $101,980 | 1,790 |
States with the most Chemists jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 9,820 | $97,860 | |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | 6,800 | $77,090 | |
| 3 | New Jersey | 5,280 | $84,450 | |
| 4 | Texas | 5,130 | $99,640 | |
| 5 | North Carolina | 4,530 | $82,620 | |
| 6 | New York | 4,230 | $90,600 | |
| 7 | Ohio | 4,010 | $85,270 | |
| 8 | Michigan | 3,490 | $97,440 | |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 3,430 | $125,000 | |
| 10 | Illinois | 3,040 | $85,230 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $144,680 | 2,490 |
| 2 | Bay City | $132,480 | 250 |
| 3 | Midland | $131,860 | 70 |
| 4 | Lexington Park | $131,810 | 60 |
| 5 | Lake Charles | $128,330 | 180 |
| 6 | San Francisco | $127,790 | 2,180 |
| 7 | Boston | $127,290 | 2,960 |
| 8 | Albuquerque | $126,960 | 180 |
| 9 | Palm Bay | $123,840 | 50 |
| 10 | Spartanburg | $122,350 | 90 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.