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Chemist Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for a chemist in the United States?
$84,680 per year
According to the BLS.gov, the average salary for a chemist in the United States is $84,680 annually. The lowest salary is $52,950 annually, and the highest is $149,550 annually.
Our salary data comes from BLS.gov. The salaries presented here are the 2023 median pay.
Job Outlook & Work Environment
Job Outlook
🚀 87,200; estimated number of chemist jobs. It is estimated that 7,500 new jobs will be added by 2033.
☀️ The projected job outlook for chemists is 8%, which is faster than average.
Work Environment
💼 Chemists typically work in laboratories and offices conducting experiments and analyzing their results.
🏢 29% of chemists work in chemical manufacturing.
Chemist Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries
How Does a Chemist Salary Stack Up?
Both patent agents ($130K) and patent attorneys ($185K) make more money than chemists, who generally earn around $84K annually. If you pass the patent bar exam as a chemist, you can expect a much higher salary in a career in patent law.
Top Chemist Salaries by Industry
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $173,360 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government | $131,010 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $118,710 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $113,090 |
| Management of Companies | $111,970 |
Salary by Chemist Industry
In the U.S., the average chemist salary is $84,680.
Top Chemist salaries by industry indicate that Oil and Gas Extraction offers the highest average salary at $173,360. This is followed by Federal, State, and Local Government with an average salary of $131,010, and Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution at $118,710.
Support Activities for Mining and Management of Companies provide average salaries of $113,090 and $111,970, respectively.
Experience & Education
Here are some typical daily activities of a chemist:
- Documenting/Recording Information — Capturing, transcribing, storing, or maintaining data in written, electronic, or magnetic formats.
- Analyzing Data or Information — Discovering core principles, reasons, or facts by breaking down data into distinct components.
- Getting Information — Collecting, observing, and acquiring data from all relevant sources.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Classifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in situations or events.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Evaluating information and assessing results to select the optimal solution and resolve issues.
Here are the typical skills you need to work as a chemist:
- Science — Applying scientific principles and techniques to address problems.
- Critical Thinking — Employing logic and reasoning to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in various solutions, conclusions, or methods.
- Reading Comprehension — Grasping the meaning of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Speaking — Effectively communicating information to others through speech.
- Active Listening — Fully concentrating on what others are saying, understanding their points, asking relevant questions, and avoiding inappropriate interruptions.
- Mathematics — Utilizing mathematical methods to resolve problems.
Knowledge required to work as a chemist:
- Chemistry — Understanding the chemical makeup, structure, and properties of substances, including the processes and transformations. This covers the use of chemicals, their interactions, hazard indicators, production methods, and disposal practices.
- English Language — Familiarity with the structure and content of English, including word meanings, spelling, composition rules, and grammar.
- Mathematics — Proficiency in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their practical applications.
- Production and Processing — Insight into raw materials, production methods, quality control, cost management, and strategies for efficient manufacturing and distribution.
- Administration and Management — Comprehension of business and management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Average Education
According to onetonline.org, 56% of chemists have a Bachelor’s degree, 30% have a Doctoral degree, and 10% have a Master’s degree.
Top Chemist Salaries by Location
Factors that Impact Pay
The top city for chemist salaries is Washington, DC, with an average salary of $138,060. San Francisco, CA, follows with an average salary of $129,190, and Midland, MI, offers $125,140. Boston, MA, and San Jose, CA, round out the list with average salaries of $119,640 and $115,630, respectively.
California leads in chemist salaries with an average of $105,560. New Jersey and New York follow, offering average salaries of $99,860 and $94,170, respectively. Pennsylvania and North Carolina have lower averages, with $82,250 and $86,920, respectively.
Take a look at the average chemist salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $138,060 |
| San Francisco, CA | $129,190 |
| Midland, MI | $125,140 |
| Boston, MA | $119,640 |
| San Jose, CA | $115,630 |
Look at the average chemist salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,250 |
| New Jersey | $99,860 |
| New York | $94,170 |
| North Carolina | $86,920 |
Related Careers
Patent Agent
Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.
Average of $130,168/year
Patent Attorney
Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.
Average of $185,351/year
Biochemists & Biophysicists
Study chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms.
Average of $107,460/year