Chemist salary in Idaho
Chemists in Idaho earn a median of $78,000 a year ($37.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,850 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $91,240. Idaho ranks 44th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.38 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $86,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| 25th percentile | $58,480 | $28.11 |
| Median | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| 75th percentile | $106,750 | $51.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,850 | $64.83 |
| Average (mean) | $86,120 | $41.41 |
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 | $6,500 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,250 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,000 |
| Weekly | $1,500 |
| Hourly | $37.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | $85,810 | 130 |
| Boise City, ID | $78,930 | 110 |
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 Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Hydrologist | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $91,170 | $43.83 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| Physicist | $135,150 | $64.97 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,920 | $41.79 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| Biological Technician | $42,130 | $20.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,010 | $39.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for chemists in Idaho is $78,000 a year, or $37.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Idaho?
The top 10% of chemists in Idaho earn at least $134,850 a year. The top 25% earn $106,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,230 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $58,480 or less.
How many chemists work in Idaho?
About 320 chemists are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.