Chemist salary in North Carolina
Chemists in North Carolina earn a median of $82,620 a year ($39.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,020 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $91,240. North Carolina ranks 36th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.92 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,170 | $27.96 |
| 25th percentile | $66,760 | $32.09 |
| Median | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| 75th percentile | $106,240 | $51.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,020 | $63.47 |
| Average (mean) | $90,800 | $43.66 |
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 | $6,885 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,442.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,177.69 |
| Weekly | $1,588.85 |
| Hourly | $39.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $98,090 | 240 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $97,690 | 300 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $92,080 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $88,890 | 650 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $84,150 | 740 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $81,990 | 200 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,580 | 1,140 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $80,860 | 110 |
| Wilmington, NC | $78,130 | 400 |
| Asheville, NC | $66,910 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Hydrologist | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Physicist | $174,180 | $83.74 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Biological Technician | $61,720 | $29.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for chemists in North Carolina is $82,620 a year, or $39.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of chemists in North Carolina earn at least $132,020 a year. The top 25% earn $106,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,170 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $66,760 or less.
How many chemists work in North Carolina?
About 4,530 chemists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.