SOC 19-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chemists — Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Rhode Island comes to $101,660 a year, ahead of the national median of $91,240 by 11.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Rhode Island comes to $101,660 a year, ahead of the national median of $91,240 by 11.4%. Pay ranges from under $70,210 at the tenth percentile to more than $146,830 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $85,610 to $124,750.
Employment stands at 150, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Rhode Island ranks number 11th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Providence records the highest median at $100,730. Of the 545 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 105th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,210 | −23.0% |
| 25th | $85,610 | −6.2% |
| Median (50th) | $101,660 | +11.4% |
| 75th | $124,750 | +36.7% |
| 90th | $146,830 | +60.9% |
| Mean | $106,450 | +16.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Rhode Island
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence | $100,730 | 190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Rhode Island run 2.3% above the national average, so the median of $101,660 buys what $99,374 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 8.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$101,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
102.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$99,374US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $101,660 a year, 11.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $70,210 to $146,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 11th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Providence, at $100,730.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chemists in Rhode Island?
The median annual wage is $101,660, or $48.88 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 Rhode Island is 11.4% higher. 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 Rhode Island earns more than $146,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $70,210 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 Providence, at $100,730 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in Rhode Island. 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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