SOC 19-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chemists — Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chemists in Birmingham, AL is $82,790 per year, 9.3% below the national median of $91,240.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chemists in Birmingham, AL is $82,790 per year, 9.3% below the national median of $91,240. Half of workers earn between $65,360 and $132,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $61,430 and the ninetieth at $165,560.
Employment stands at 170, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Decatur records the highest median at $109,110. Of the 489 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 95th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,430 | −32.7% |
| 25th | $65,360 | −28.4% |
| Median (50th) | $82,790 | −9.3% |
| 75th | $132,430 | +45.1% |
| 90th | $165,560 | +81.5% |
| Mean | $101,050 | +10.8% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decatur | $109,110 | 60 | |
| 2 | Mobile | $102,600 | 90 | |
| 3 | Huntsville | $101,500 | 130 | |
| 4 | Montgomery | $81,700 | 50 | |
| 5 | Auburn | $79,530 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Birmingham run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $82,790 goes as far as $93,232 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$82,790as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$93,232US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $82,790 a year, 9.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $61,430 to $165,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Decatur, at $109,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chemists in Birmingham, AL?
The median annual wage is $82,790, or $39.80 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $91,240, so pay in Birmingham, AL is 9.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Birmingham, AL earns more than $165,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $61,430 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Decatur, at $109,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in Birmingham, AL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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