Chemist salary in Bellingham, WA
Chemists in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median of $64,560 a year ($31.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,100 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 34% lower than the Washington statewide median of $97,420. There are 1.0 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Bellingham, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,650 | $26.76 |
| 25th percentile | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Median | $64,560 | $31.04 |
| 75th percentile | $105,790 | $50.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,100 | $63.99 |
| Average (mean) | $83,870 | $40.32 |
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 | $5,380 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,690 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,483.08 |
| Weekly | $1,241.54 |
| Hourly | $31.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $108,010 | 80 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $94,990 | 430 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $93,340 | 50 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,990 | 1,090 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $81,680 | 40 |
| Yakima, WA | $78,580 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $77,400 | 90 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $87,270 | $41.96 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,260 | $49.64 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Chemical Technician | $73,380 | $35.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| Biological Technician | $47,310 | $22.74 |
| School Psychologist | $104,250 | $50.12 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Bellingham, WA
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 Bellingham, WA?
The median salary for chemists in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $64,560 a year, or $31.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Bellingham, WA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn at least $133,100 a year. The top 25% earn $105,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Bellingham, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,650 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $63,280 or less.
How many chemists work in Bellingham, WA?
About 90 chemists are employed in the Bellingham, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.