Chemist salary in Maryland
Chemists in Maryland earn a median of $140,670 a year ($67.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 54% higher than the national median of $91,240. Maryland ranks 2nd of 51 states for chemists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.90 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $139,100, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| 25th percentile | $103,840 | $49.92 |
| Median | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| 75th percentile | $171,310 | $82.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $139,100 | $66.87 |
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 | $11,722.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,861.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,410.38 |
| Weekly | $2,705.19 |
| Hourly | $67.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $144,680 | 2,490 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $131,810 | 60 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $118,880 | 610 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $95,440 | 4,520 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $82,990 | 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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,290 | $67.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $84,190 | $40.48 |
| Physicist | $174,390 | $83.84 |
| Astronomer | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $128,800 | $61.92 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| Materials Scientist | $112,400 | $54.04 |
| Hydrologist | $143,010 | $68.75 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Biological Technician | $52,900 | $25.44 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $131,810 | $63.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,820 | $44.14 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for chemists in Maryland is $140,670 a year, or $67.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of chemists in Maryland earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $171,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,430 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $103,840 or less.
How many chemists work in Maryland?
About 2,480 chemists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.