Chemist salary in Asheville, NC
Chemists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $66,910 a year ($32.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,760 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 19% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $82,620. There are 0.20 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $74,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| 25th percentile | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| Median | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| 75th percentile | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,760 | $62.39 |
| Average (mean) | $74,940 | $36.03 |
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 | $5,575.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,787.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,573.46 |
| Weekly | $1,286.73 |
| Hourly | $32.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $98,090 | 240 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $97,690 | 300 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $92,080 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $88,890 | 650 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $84,150 | 740 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $81,990 | 200 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,580 | 1,140 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $80,860 | 110 |
| Wilmington, NC | $78,130 | 400 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,960 | $35.08 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $100,690 | $48.41 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $99,160 | $47.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,950 | $37.47 |
| Conservation Scientist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,510 | $46.40 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $152,550 | $73.34 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $51,050 | $24.54 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| School Psychologist | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
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 Asheville, NC?
The median salary for chemists in the Asheville, NC metro area is $66,910 a year, or $32.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of chemists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $129,760 a year. The top 25% earn $94,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,390 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $43,390 or less.
How many chemists work in Asheville, NC?
About 40 chemists are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.