Chemist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Chemists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $76,980 a year ($37.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,380 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 12% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $87,930. There are 0.20 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $84,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| 25th percentile | $59,940 | $28.82 |
| Median | $76,980 | $37.01 |
| 75th percentile | $111,610 | $53.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,380 | $62.68 |
| Average (mean) | $84,480 | $40.61 |
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 | $6,415 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,207.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,960.77 |
| Weekly | $1,480.38 |
| Hourly | $37.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $99,790 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $92,490 | 50 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $75,610 | 30 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $57,970 | 120 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,530 | 320 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,320 | $37.65 |
| Physicist | $139,810 | $67.22 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Chemical Technician | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $71,870 | $34.55 |
| School Psychologist | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $57,740 | $27.76 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| Microbiologist | $114,840 | $55.21 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $86,380 | $41.53 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $96,610 | $46.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for chemists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $76,980 a year, or $37.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of chemists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $130,380 a year. The top 25% earn $111,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,310 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $59,940 or less.
How many chemists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 120 chemists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.