Chemist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Chemists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $74,200 a year ($35.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 980 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,510 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 4% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $77,090. There are 0.88 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,450 | $23.78 |
| 25th percentile | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Median | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| 75th percentile | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,510 | $64.67 |
| Average (mean) | $86,060 | $41.38 |
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 | $6,183.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,091.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,853.85 |
| Weekly | $1,426.92 |
| Hourly | $35.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| State College, PA | $107,890 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $95,440 | 4,520 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,200 | 160 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $88,530 | 80 |
| Reading, PA | $81,520 | 90 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $79,600 | 400 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $73,670 | 160 |
| Johnstown, PA | $59,920 | 90 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $76,410 | $36.74 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,750 | $61.90 |
| Physicist | $224,160 | $107.77 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| Biological Technician | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| School Psychologist | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,630 | $41.17 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $84,740 | $40.74 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,070 | $24.07 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for chemists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $74,200 a year, or $35.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $134,510 a year. The top 25% earn $102,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,450 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $59,140 or less.
How many chemists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 980 chemists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.