Chemist salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Chemists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $110,920 a year ($53.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,660 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 22% higher than the New York statewide median of $90,600. There are 0.88 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $122,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,770 | $34.99 |
| 25th percentile | $86,890 | $41.77 |
| Median | $110,920 | $53.33 |
| 75th percentile | $139,490 | $67.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,660 | $86.37 |
| Average (mean) | $122,210 | $58.76 |
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 | $9,243.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,621.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,266.15 |
| Weekly | $2,133.08 |
| Hourly | $53.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $91,330 | 30 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $87,130 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,150 | 6,750 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $84,510 | 320 |
| Rochester, NY | $84,030 | 300 |
| Syracuse, NY | $82,410 | 70 |
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 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $99,460 | $47.82 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| Materials Scientist | $132,650 | $63.77 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,870 | $41.77 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $134,060 | $64.45 |
| Physicist | $159,240 | $76.56 |
| Biological Technician | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| School Psychologist | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,190 | $42.40 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for chemists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $110,920 a year, or $53.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of chemists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $179,660 a year. The top 25% earn $139,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,770 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $86,890 or less.
How many chemists work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 400 chemists are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.