Salary guide
Chemist Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What chemists earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median chemist salary in the U.S. is $91,240 per year, or $43.87 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $58,460, while the top 10% earned more than $160,830.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Chemist pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,460 | $28.11 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $69,460 | $33.39 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $91,240 | $43.87 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $125,550 | $60.36 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $160,830 | $77.32 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $69,460 | $91,240 | $125,550 |
| Per month | $5,788 | $7,603 | $10,463 |
| Every two weeks | $2,672 | $3,509 | $4,829 |
| Per week | $1,336 | $1,755 | $2,414 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects chemist pay
- Education level (associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree)
- Industry (semiconductors, energy, pharmaceuticals and federal labs often pay more)
- Licenses and certifications such as the PE, FE or ASCP
- Specialized instruments, software and regulated-lab experience
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a chemist
- Get credentialed: ACS-certified degree, Certified Chemist (NCRA), GMP and GLP training.
- Build specialty experience: Develop methods.
- Move up: roles such as senior chemist and lab manager or director typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Chemist pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of chemists to change by +6.4% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,900 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 19-2031 (“Chemists”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Chemist salary FAQ
How much does a chemist make per hour?
The median hourly wage for chemists was $43.87 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $28.11 and the top 10% earned about $77.32 or more.
How much does a chemist make a month?
At the median annual wage of $91,240, that works out to about $7,603 per month before taxes, or about $3,509 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a chemist?
New chemists often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $58,460 and the 25th percentile was $69,460 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can chemists earn more?
Common ways include earning ACS-certified degree and Certified Chemist (NCRA), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior chemist.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-2031 (Chemists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Chemists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.