Chemical Technician salary in Richmond, VA
Chemical Technicians in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $50,790 a year ($24.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,340 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $60,390. Pay here is 2% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $51,850. There are 0.54 chemical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical technicians in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,350 | $16.03 |
| 25th percentile | $42,650 | $20.50 |
| Median | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| 75th percentile | $65,970 | $31.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,340 | $38.15 |
| Average (mean) | $55,060 | $26.47 |
Half of chemical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,232.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,116.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,953.46 |
| Weekly | $976.73 |
| Hourly | $24.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg, VA | $62,710 | 50 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $57,880 | 470 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $57,670 | 120 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $52,600 | 150 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $49,820 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for chemical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $85,850 |
| Alaska | $79,380 |
| Delaware | $78,620 |
| South Carolina | $75,020 |
| Missouri | $68,550 |
| Massachusetts | $67,570 |
| Arizona | $65,860 |
| Vermont | $65,560 |
| Hawaii | $63,910 |
| Colorado | $63,770 |
See Chemical Technician pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,160 | $33.73 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Nuclear Technician | $122,210 | $58.76 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Chemist | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,260 | $28.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical technician make in Richmond, VA?
The median salary for chemical technicians in the Richmond, VA metro area is $50,790 a year, or $24.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical technicians make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of chemical technicians in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $79,340 a year. The top 25% earn $65,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical technicians in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,350 a year, and a quarter of chemical technicians earn $42,650 or less.
How many chemical technicians work in Richmond, VA?
About 360 chemical technicians are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.