Chemist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Chemists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $102,390 a year ($49.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,250 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $101,980. There are 0.51 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $110,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| 25th percentile | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| Median | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| 75th percentile | $133,600 | $64.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,250 | $82.33 |
| Average (mean) | $110,740 | $53.24 |
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 | $8,532.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,266.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,938.08 |
| Weekly | $1,969.04 |
| Hourly | $49.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $105,590 | 500 |
| 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 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $120,480 | $57.92 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $140,980 | $67.78 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Hydrologist | $108,680 | $52.25 |
| Physicist | $166,140 | $79.88 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $85,440 | $41.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Biological Technician | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| School Psychologist | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Epidemiologist | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $87,170 | $41.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for chemists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $102,390 a year, or $49.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of chemists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $171,250 a year. The top 25% earn $133,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,120 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $80,180 or less.
How many chemists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 820 chemists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.