Chemist salary in Birmingham, AL
Chemists in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $82,790 a year ($39.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,560 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 15% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $97,830. There are 0.33 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $101,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| 25th percentile | $65,360 | $31.43 |
| Median | $82,790 | $39.80 |
| 75th percentile | $132,430 | $63.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,560 | $79.59 |
| Average (mean) | $101,050 | $48.58 |
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 | $6,899.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,449.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,184.23 |
| Weekly | $1,592.12 |
| Hourly | $39.80 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $109,110 | 60 |
| Mobile, AL | $102,600 | 90 |
| Huntsville, AL | $101,500 | 130 |
| Montgomery, AL | $81,700 | 50 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $79,530 | 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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,510 | $34.86 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $57,870 | $27.82 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,750 | $22.48 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,740 | $40.26 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $99,630 | $47.90 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Nuclear Technician | $126,930 | $61.03 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $67,340 | $32.37 |
| Forester | $87,050 | $41.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for chemists in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $82,790 a year, or $39.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of chemists in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $165,560 a year. The top 25% earn $132,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,430 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $65,360 or less.
How many chemists work in Birmingham, AL?
About 170 chemists are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.