SOC 19-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chemists — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 9 metro areas compared
In Pennsylvania the median wage is $77,090.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Pennsylvania the median wage is $77,090. That is 15.5% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay ranges from under $49,800 at the tenth percentile to more than $144,860 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $62,430 to $101,550.
The area has 6,800 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.11 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Pennsylvania ranks number 45th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, State College records the highest median at $107,890. Of the 778 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 232nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,800 | −45.4% |
| 25th | $62,430 | −31.6% |
| Median (50th) | $77,090 | −15.5% |
| 75th | $101,550 | +11.3% |
| 90th | $144,860 | +58.8% |
| Mean | $87,990 | −3.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State College | $107,890 | 50 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $95,440 | 4,520 | |
| 3 | York | $94,200 | 160 | |
| 4 | Scranton | $88,530 | 80 | |
| 5 | Reading | $81,520 | 90 | |
| 6 | Allentown | $79,600 | 400 | |
| 7 | Pittsburgh | $74,200 | 980 | |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $73,670 | 160 | |
| 9 | Johnstown | $59,920 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $77,090 goes as far as $78,986 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$77,090as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$78,986US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,090 a year, 15.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,800 to $144,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,800 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 45th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is State College, at $107,890.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chemists in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage is $77,090, or $37.06 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 Pennsylvania is 15.5% 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 Pennsylvania earns more than $144,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,800 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 State College, at $107,890 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,800 jobs in this occupation in Pennsylvania. 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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