Chemist salary in New York
Chemists in New York earn a median of $90,600 a year ($43.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,190 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $91,240. New York ranks 23rd of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.44 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| 25th percentile | $75,830 | $36.46 |
| Median | $90,600 | $43.56 |
| 75th percentile | $122,000 | $58.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,190 | $74.61 |
| Average (mean) | $100,920 | $48.52 |
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 | $7,550 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,775 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,484.62 |
| Weekly | $1,742.31 |
| Hourly | $43.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $110,920 | 400 |
| Ithaca, NY | $91,330 | 30 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $87,130 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,150 | 6,750 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $84,510 | 320 |
| Rochester, NY | $84,030 | 300 |
| Syracuse, NY | $82,410 | 70 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,820 | $56.64 |
| Physicist | $181,970 | $87.48 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,410 | $41.54 |
| Materials Scientist | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $117,540 | $56.51 |
| Hydrologist | $88,100 | $42.36 |
| School Psychologist | $106,550 | $51.22 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $114,400 | $55.00 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $87,760 | $42.19 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,720 | $46.02 |
| Biological Technician | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $104,770 | $50.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for chemists in New York is $90,600 a year, or $43.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in New York?
The top 10% of chemists in New York earn at least $155,190 a year. The top 25% earn $122,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,100 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $75,830 or less.
How many chemists work in New York?
About 4,230 chemists are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.