Chemist salary in Arkansas
Chemists in Arkansas earn a median of $75,570 a year ($36.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,620 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $91,240. Arkansas ranks 46th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.29 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $86,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| 25th percentile | $57,830 | $27.80 |
| Median | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| 75th percentile | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,620 | $63.28 |
| Average (mean) | $86,800 | $41.73 |
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 | $6,297.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,148.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,906.54 |
| Weekly | $1,453.27 |
| Hourly | $36.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,980 | 120 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $57,970 | 120 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $67,880 | $32.64 |
| Physicist | $135,820 | $65.30 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $71,940 | $34.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Chemical Technician | $45,230 | $21.74 |
| School Psychologist | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Biological Technician | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,290 | $25.62 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for chemists in Arkansas is $75,570 a year, or $36.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of chemists in Arkansas earn at least $131,620 a year. The top 25% earn $106,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,600 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $57,830 or less.
How many chemists work in Arkansas?
About 380 chemists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.