Chemists Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$84,317
Highest Paying City
San Jose
$119,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Chemists Do?
Chemists apply the scientific method to study natural phenomena, human behavior, or social systems. Their research helps solve complex problems and informs evidence-based decision making across many fields.
Work settings include research laboratories, field locations, offices, and academic institutions. Hours can be irregular, especially when conducting experiments or fieldwork.
Key Skills for Chemists
Laboratory TechniquesCritical ThinkingAttention to DetailPresentation SkillsGrant WritingPeer Review
Education Requirements
Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline
Many research positions require a master's or doctoral degree. Some entry-level technician roles may accept a bachelor's degree. Postdoctoral research experience is common for academic and senior research positions.
Career Outlook
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average, with increasing demand for research in areas like environmental science, healthcare, and data analysis.
How to Increase Your Chemists Salary
- 1.Develop strong statistical analysis and programming skills (R, Python, SAS)
- 2.Pursue postdoctoral research opportunities for academic career advancement
- 3.Apply for research grants from government agencies and private foundations
- 4.Build a professional network through conferences and professional associations
- 5.Develop expertise in interdisciplinary research methods
Chemists Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $119,000 | $123,000 | $65,000 - $159,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Francisco, CA | $118,000 | $132,000 | $65,000 - $158,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $111,000 | $122,000 | $61,000 - $148,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $108,000 | $118,000 | $59,000 - $144,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $106,000 | $114,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $101,000 | $109,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $97,000 | $101,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $94,000 | $98,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $94,000 | $102,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $94,000 | $102,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $92,000 | $95,000 | $55,000 - $120,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $92,000 | $96,000 | $55,000 - $120,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $92,000 | $98,000 | $55,000 - $120,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $91,000 | $93,000 | $55,000 - $118,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $91,000 | $96,000 | $55,000 - $118,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $91,000 | $101,000 | $55,000 - $118,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $90,000 | $96,000 | $54,000 - $117,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $89,000 | $99,000 | $53,000 - $116,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $89,000 | $100,000 | $53,000 - $116,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $87,000 | $90,000 | $52,000 - $113,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $87,000 | $92,000 | $52,000 - $113,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $85,000 | $94,000 | $51,000 - $110,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $85,000 | $87,000 | $51,000 - $110,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $84,000 | $91,000 | $50,000 - $109,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $84,000 | $89,000 | $50,000 - $109,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $83,000 | $93,000 | $50,000 - $108,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $83,000 | $90,000 | $50,000 - $108,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $83,000 | $86,000 | $50,000 - $108,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $82,000 | $84,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $82,000 | $88,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | USD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $82,000 | $91,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $82,000 | $90,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $82,000 | $87,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $82,000 | $86,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $81,000 | $83,000 | $49,000 - $105,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $80,000 | $88,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $80,000 | $88,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $80,000 | $86,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $80,000 | $86,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $79,000 | $85,000 | $47,000 - $103,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $79,000 | $81,000 | $47,000 - $103,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $79,000 | $86,000 | $47,000 - $103,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $78,000 | $81,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $78,000 | $86,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $78,000 | $85,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $78,000 | $80,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $78,000 | $82,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $77,000 | $86,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $77,000 | $85,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $76,000 | $83,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $76,000 | $84,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $75,000 | $82,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | USD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $75,000 | $77,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $74,000 | $83,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $71,000 | $74,000 | $43,000 - $92,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $66,000 | $74,000 | $43,000 - $83,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $64,000 | $70,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $64,000 | $67,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $62,000 | $66,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $62,000 | $68,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | CAD | Apply |