Chemist salary in Boulder, CO
Chemists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $105,590 a year ($50.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,280 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 4% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $101,980. There are 2.6 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $109,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| 25th percentile | $84,240 | $40.50 |
| Median | $105,590 | $50.77 |
| 75th percentile | $136,940 | $65.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,280 | $79.46 |
| Average (mean) | $109,180 | $52.49 |
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 | $8,799.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,399.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,061.15 |
| Weekly | $2,030.58 |
| Hourly | $50.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $102,390 | 820 |
| Greeley, CO | $87,350 | 80 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $83,340 | 200 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $81,840 | 60 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $121,870 | $58.59 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $107,860 | $51.86 |
| Materials Scientist | $126,880 | $61.00 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,320 | $67.94 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $140,710 | $67.65 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Chemical Technician | $66,960 | $32.19 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Biological Technician | $75,390 | $36.24 |
| School Psychologist | $143,020 | $68.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,710 | $48.90 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for chemists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $105,590 a year, or $50.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of chemists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $165,280 a year. The top 25% earn $136,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,260 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $84,240 or less.
How many chemists work in Boulder, CO?
About 500 chemists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.