Chemist salary in Oregon
Chemists in Oregon earn a median of $104,590 a year ($50.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,700 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $91,240. Oregon ranks 7th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.37 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $111,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,320 | $33.81 |
| 25th percentile | $82,000 | $39.42 |
| Median | $104,590 | $50.28 |
| 75th percentile | $141,720 | $68.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,700 | $75.82 |
| Average (mean) | $111,320 | $53.52 |
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 | $8,715.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,357.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,022.69 |
| Weekly | $2,011.35 |
| Hourly | $50.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $102,460 | 70 |
| Bend, OR | $97,690 | 50 |
| Corvallis, OR | $94,990 | 80 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $94,990 | 430 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Hydrologist | $93,690 | $45.04 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $109,580 | $52.69 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Materials Scientist | $150,550 | $72.38 |
| Physicist | $200,320 | $96.31 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Biological Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $103,070 | $49.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for chemists in Oregon is $104,590 a year, or $50.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Oregon?
The top 10% of chemists in Oregon earn at least $157,700 a year. The top 25% earn $141,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,320 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $82,000 or less.
How many chemists work in Oregon?
About 730 chemists are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.