Chemist salary in Alabama
Chemists in Alabama earn a median of $97,830 a year ($47.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,410 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $91,240. Alabama ranks 17th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.33 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $101,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| 25th percentile | $73,500 | $35.34 |
| Median | $97,830 | $47.03 |
| 75th percentile | $126,200 | $60.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,410 | $72.31 |
| Average (mean) | $101,710 | $48.90 |
Half of chemists 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 | $8,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,076.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,762.69 |
| Weekly | $1,881.35 |
| Hourly | $47.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $109,110 | 60 |
| Mobile, AL | $102,600 | 90 |
| Huntsville, AL | $101,500 | 130 |
| Birmingham, AL | $82,790 | 170 |
| Montgomery, AL | $81,700 | 50 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $79,530 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Physicist | $139,330 | $66.98 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $135,350 | $65.07 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,260 | $39.55 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $70,710 | $33.99 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| School Psychologist | $75,060 | $36.09 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $87,260 | $41.95 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $95,370 | $45.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. 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 chemist make in Alabama?
The median salary for chemists in Alabama is $97,830 a year, or $47.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Alabama?
The top 10% of chemists in Alabama earn at least $150,410 a year. The top 25% earn $126,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,050 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $73,500 or less.
How many chemists work in Alabama?
About 700 chemists are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.