Chemist salary in Maine
Chemists in Maine earn a median of $64,440 a year ($30.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,360 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $91,240. Maine ranks 50th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.22 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $70,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| 25th percentile | $55,740 | $26.80 |
| Median | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| 75th percentile | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Average (mean) | $70,750 | $34.01 |
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 | $5,370 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,685 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,478.46 |
| Weekly | $1,239.23 |
| Hourly | $30.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $64,320 | 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 Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,840 | $41.75 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,710 | $49.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $97,640 | $46.94 |
| Biological Technician | $60,160 | $28.92 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $84,560 | $40.66 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $66,730 | $32.08 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| Conservation Scientist | $75,900 | $36.49 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,820 | $24.91 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,240 | $30.88 |
| School Psychologist | $81,650 | $39.25 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for chemists in Maine is $64,440 a year, or $30.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Maine?
The top 10% of chemists in Maine earn at least $100,360 a year. The top 25% earn $77,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,640 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $55,740 or less.
How many chemists work in Maine?
About 140 chemists are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.