Chemist salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Chemists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $78,060 a year ($37.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,250 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 4% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $81,730. There are 0.24 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $86,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| 25th percentile | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Median | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| 75th percentile | $106,340 | $51.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,250 | $66.95 |
| Average (mean) | $86,510 | $41.59 |
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 | $6,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,252.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,002.31 |
| Weekly | $1,501.15 |
| Hourly | $37.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Hydrologist | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Physicist | $130,500 | $62.74 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $123,750 | $59.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $108,390 | $52.11 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,470 | $51.67 |
| School Psychologist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Biological Technician | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,570 | $55.56 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for chemists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $78,060 a year, or $37.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of chemists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $139,250 a year. The top 25% earn $106,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,710 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $61,610 or less.
How many chemists work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 570 chemists are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.