Chemist salary in Colorado
Chemists in Colorado earn a median of $101,980 a year ($49.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,680 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $91,240. Colorado ranks 10th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.62 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| 25th percentile | $77,910 | $37.46 |
| Median | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| 75th percentile | $132,560 | $63.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,680 | $78.21 |
| Average (mean) | $106,480 | $51.19 |
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 | $8,498.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,249.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,922.31 |
| Weekly | $1,961.15 |
| Hourly | $49.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $105,590 | 500 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $104,670 | $50.32 |
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Materials Scientist | $117,290 | $56.39 |
| Hydrologist | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| School Psychologist | $124,770 | $59.98 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for chemists in Colorado is $101,980 a year, or $49.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of chemists in Colorado earn at least $162,680 a year. The top 25% earn $132,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,260 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $77,910 or less.
How many chemists work in Colorado?
About 1,790 chemists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.