Chemist salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Chemists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $92,490 a year ($44.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,700 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 5% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $87,930. There are 0.18 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $100,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| 25th percentile | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| Median | $92,490 | $44.47 |
| 75th percentile | $129,110 | $62.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,700 | $66.20 |
| Average (mean) | $100,300 | $48.22 |
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 | $7,707.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,853.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,557.31 |
| Weekly | $1,778.65 |
| Hourly | $44.47 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $117,990 | 110 |
| Savannah, GA | $103,380 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $99,790 | 100 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $97,930 | 730 |
| Gainesville, GA | $92,500 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,980 | 120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $72,340 | 70 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,530 | 320 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $74,470 | $35.80 |
| School Psychologist | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,480 | $41.10 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $62,780 | $30.18 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for chemists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $92,490 a year, or $44.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $137,700 a year. The top 25% earn $129,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,500 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $71,860 or less.
How many chemists work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 50 chemists are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.