Chemist salary in Charleston, WV
Chemists in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $88,640 a year ($42.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,500 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 4% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $85,560. There are 0.32 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $88,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| 25th percentile | $55,190 | $26.53 |
| Median | $88,640 | $42.62 |
| 75th percentile | $126,450 | $60.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,500 | $60.82 |
| Average (mean) | $88,900 | $42.74 |
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 | $7,386.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,693.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,409.23 |
| Weekly | $1,704.62 |
| Hourly | $42.62 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $144,680 | 2,490 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $82,990 | 40 |
| Morgantown, WV | $81,970 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $76,110 | 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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| School Psychologist | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $78,840 | $37.90 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for chemists in the Charleston, WV metro area is $88,640 a year, or $42.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of chemists in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $126,500 a year. The top 25% earn $126,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,670 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $55,190 or less.
How many chemists work in Charleston, WV?
About 30 chemists are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.