Chemist salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Chemists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $107,590 a year ($51.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,950 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 4% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $103,890. There are 0.65 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,580 | $28.65 |
| 25th percentile | $83,740 | $40.26 |
| Median | $107,590 | $51.73 |
| 75th percentile | $132,720 | $63.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,950 | $84.59 |
| Average (mean) | $114,620 | $55.11 |
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 | $8,965.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,482.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,138.08 |
| Weekly | $2,069.04 |
| Hourly | $51.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $128,330 | 180 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $96,100 | 170 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $80,190 | 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 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $76,640 | $36.85 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $78,300 | $37.65 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Chemical Technician | $92,120 | $44.29 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| School Psychologist | $68,030 | $32.71 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $67,570 | $32.49 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $75,900 | $36.49 |
| Conservation Scientist | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Economist | $74,580 | $35.86 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for chemists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $107,590 a year, or $51.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $175,950 a year. The top 25% earn $132,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,580 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $83,740 or less.
How many chemists work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 270 chemists are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.