Chemist salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Chemists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $117,990 a year ($56.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,920 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 27% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $92,750. There are 1.2 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $111,760, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| 25th percentile | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Median | $117,990 | $56.72 |
| 75th percentile | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,920 | $73.04 |
| Average (mean) | $111,760 | $53.73 |
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 | $9,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,916.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,538.08 |
| Weekly | $2,269.04 |
| Hourly | $56.72 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $103,380 | 50 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $97,930 | 730 |
| Gainesville, GA | $92,500 | 30 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $92,490 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $72,340 | 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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,200 | $36.63 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $42,360 | $20.36 |
| Microbiologist | $112,440 | $54.06 |
| Biological Technician | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $59,370 | $28.54 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for chemists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $117,990 a year, or $56.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $151,920 a year. The top 25% earn $130,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,500 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $82,990 or less.
How many chemists work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 110 chemists are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.