Chemists Salary by State
The national median pay for chemists is $91,240 a year. By state, it ranges from $61,890 in Montana to $149,860 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $58,460
- 25th percentile
- $69,460
- Median
- $91,240
- 75th percentile
- $125,550
- Top 10%
- $160,830
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 82,770 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $149,860 | +64% | $101,400 | $195,190 | 280 |
| 2 | Maryland | $140,670 | +54% | $75,430 | $195,190 | 2,480 |
| 3 | Delaware | $129,860 | +42% | $80,500 | $170,290 | 1,200 |
| 4 | New Mexico | $126,960 | +39% | $59,490 | $212,940 | 280 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $125,000 | +37% | $71,120 | $212,210 | 3,430 |
| 6 | Alaska | $106,010 | +16% | $61,840 | $140,800 | 60 |
| 7 | Oregon | $104,590 | +15% | $70,320 | $157,700 | 730 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $103,890 | +14% | $58,310 | $168,460 | 740 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $102,000 | +12% | $52,150 | $127,120 | 80 |
| 10 | Colorado | $101,980 | +12% | $61,260 | $162,680 | 1,790 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $101,660 | +11% | $70,210 | $146,830 | 150 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $100,050 | +10% | $58,260 | $133,960 | 300 |
| 13 | Texas | $99,640 | +9% | $58,850 | $170,250 | 5,130 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $99,280 | +9% | $60,010 | $158,540 | 1,680 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $98,140 | +8% | $65,230 | $144,740 | 1,170 |
| 16 | California | $97,860 | +7% | $60,930 | $164,150 | 9,820 |
| 17 | Alabama | $97,830 | +7% | $61,050 | $150,410 | 700 |
| 18 | Michigan | $97,440 | +7% | $56,260 | $164,200 | 3,490 |
| 19 | Washington | $97,420 | +7% | $62,690 | $165,090 | 2,280 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $97,330 | +7% | $52,050 | $132,330 | 160 |
| 21 | Virginia | $96,650 | +6% | $52,870 | $166,230 | 1,640 |
| 22 | Georgia | $92,750 | +2% | $56,760 | $144,870 | 1,260 |
| 23 | New York | $90,600 | −1% | $61,100 | $155,190 | 4,230 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $87,930 | −4% | $48,530 | $132,630 | 960 |
| 25 | Vermont | $86,120 | −6% | $68,640 | $128,420 | 80 |
| 26 | Iowa | $86,100 | −6% | $65,270 | $137,560 | 570 |
| 27 | West Virginia | $85,560 | −6% | $59,600 | $132,380 | 180 |
| 28 | Ohio | $85,270 | −7% | $59,010 | $134,820 | 4,010 |
| 29 | Illinois | $85,230 | −7% | $60,740 | $141,310 | 3,040 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $84,450 | −7% | $60,910 | $144,030 | 5,280 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $84,150 | −8% | $63,080 | $126,070 | 140 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $84,090 | −8% | $54,950 | $126,060 | 530 |
| 33 | Kansas | $82,820 | −9% | $53,360 | $132,460 | 690 |
| 34 | Missouri | $82,800 | −9% | $48,240 | $134,940 | 1,640 |
| 35 | Florida | $82,740 | −9% | $50,200 | $150,840 | 1,490 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $82,620 | −9% | $58,170 | $132,020 | 4,530 |
| 37 | Arizona | $81,730 | −10% | $53,520 | $135,940 | 870 |
| 38 | Nevada | $81,170 | −11% | $49,220 | $130,800 | 280 |
| 39 | Utah | $80,770 | −11% | $54,350 | $129,990 | 910 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $80,060 | −12% | $52,060 | $130,560 | 200 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $79,670 | −13% | $54,420 | $139,570 | 770 |
| 42 | Indiana | $78,770 | −14% | $56,960 | $133,140 | 2,480 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $78,730 | −14% | $52,020 | $109,450 | 1,920 |
| 44 | Idaho | $78,000 | −15% | $37,230 | $134,850 | 320 |
| 45 | Pennsylvania | $77,090 | −16% | $49,800 | $144,860 | 6,800 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $75,570 | −17% | $46,600 | $131,620 | 380 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $74,960 | −18% | $48,520 | $112,920 | 630 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $74,890 | −18% | $62,280 | $128,510 | 350 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $67,440 | −26% | $51,270 | $101,030 | 170 |
| 50 | Maine | $64,440 | −29% | $50,640 | $100,360 | 140 |
| 51 | Montana | $61,890 | −32% | $44,260 | $115,390 | 300 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Chemists salary questions
Which state pays chemists the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $149,860 a year (+64% vs. the national median of $91,240). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays chemists the least?
Montana, with a median of $61,890 a year (−32% vs. national).
Where do most chemists work?
California has the most jobs, about 9,820, with a median of $97,860.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.