Chemist salary in Montana
Chemists in Montana earn a median of $61,890 a year ($29.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,390 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $91,240. Montana ranks 51st of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.58 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| 25th percentile | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Median | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| 75th percentile | $80,160 | $38.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,390 | $55.48 |
| Average (mean) | $71,860 | $34.55 |
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 | $5,157.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,578.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,380.38 |
| Weekly | $1,190.19 |
| Hourly | $29.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $67,570 | 50 |
| Billings, MT | $59,780 | 100 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Hydrologist | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Materials Scientist | $71,810 | $34.53 |
| Physicist | $103,800 | $49.90 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for chemists in Montana is $61,890 a year, or $29.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Montana?
The top 10% of chemists in Montana earn at least $115,390 a year. The top 25% earn $80,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,260 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $49,400 or less.
How many chemists work in Montana?
About 300 chemists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.