Chemist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Chemists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $84,510 a year ($40.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,870 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 7% lower than the New York statewide median of $90,600. There are 0.59 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,670 | $28.69 |
| 25th percentile | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| Median | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| 75th percentile | $103,990 | $50.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,870 | $68.69 |
| Average (mean) | $94,240 | $45.31 |
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 | $7,042.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,521.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,250.38 |
| Weekly | $1,625.19 |
| Hourly | $40.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $110,920 | 400 |
| Ithaca, NY | $91,330 | 30 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $87,130 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,150 | 6,750 |
| Rochester, NY | $84,030 | 300 |
| Syracuse, NY | $82,410 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,700 | $36.87 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Physicist | $175,060 | $84.16 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,370 | $45.37 |
| School Psychologist | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,390 | $48.74 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,270 | $39.56 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,530 | $47.85 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $81,480 | $39.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for chemists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $84,510 a year, or $40.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of chemists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $142,870 a year. The top 25% earn $103,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,670 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $67,560 or less.
How many chemists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 320 chemists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.