Chemist salary in Massachusetts
Chemists in Massachusetts earn a median of $125,000 a year ($60.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,210 for the top 10%. That is 37% higher than the national median of $91,240. Massachusetts ranks 5th of 51 states for chemists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.94 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $128,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| 25th percentile | $85,830 | $41.27 |
| Median | $125,000 | $60.09 |
| 75th percentile | $164,760 | $79.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,210 | $102.02 |
| Average (mean) | $128,930 | $61.99 |
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 | $10,416.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,208.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,807.69 |
| Weekly | $2,403.85 |
| Hourly | $60.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $127,290 | 2,960 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $100,730 | 190 |
| Worcester, MA | $100,720 | 370 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Physicist | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| Materials Scientist | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $108,210 | $52.03 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $138,380 | $66.53 |
| Hydrologist | $119,350 | $57.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,050 | $51.95 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,970 | $49.99 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,180 | $55.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for chemists in Massachusetts is $125,000 a year, or $60.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of chemists in Massachusetts earn at least $212,210 a year. The top 25% earn $164,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,120 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $85,830 or less.
How many chemists work in Massachusetts?
About 3,430 chemists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.