Chemist salary in Delaware
Chemists in Delaware earn a median of $129,860 a year ($62.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,290 for the top 10%. That is 42% higher than the national median of $91,240. Delaware ranks 3rd of 51 states for chemists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.5 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $122,170, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| 25th percentile | $100,800 | $48.46 |
| Median | $129,860 | $62.43 |
| 75th percentile | $139,820 | $67.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,290 | $81.87 |
| Average (mean) | $122,170 | $58.74 |
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 | $10,821.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,410.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,994.62 |
| Weekly | $2,497.31 |
| Hourly | $62.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $95,440 | 4,520 |
| Dover, DE | $79,300 | 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 |
Related jobs in Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $64,690 | $31.10 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Physicist | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,120 | $39.00 |
| Chemical Technician | $78,620 | $37.80 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $101,880 | $48.98 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $67,110 | $32.27 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $113,050 | $54.35 |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| Microbiologist | $82,770 | $39.79 |
| Biological Technician | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $62,310 | $29.96 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for chemists in Delaware is $129,860 a year, or $62.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Delaware?
The top 10% of chemists in Delaware earn at least $170,290 a year. The top 25% earn $139,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,500 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $100,800 or less.
How many chemists work in Delaware?
About 1,200 chemists are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.