Chemist salary in Puerto Rico
Chemists in Puerto Rico earn a median of $76,450 a year ($36.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,530 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $91,240. There are 0.86 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Puerto Rico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| 25th percentile | $52,830 | $25.40 |
| Median | $76,450 | $36.76 |
| 75th percentile | $104,460 | $50.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,530 | $65.16 |
| Average (mean) | $78,560 | $37.77 |
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 | $6,370.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,185.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,940.38 |
| Weekly | $1,470.19 |
| Hourly | $36.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Puerto Rico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $77,380 | 680 |
| Ponce, PR | $48,180 | 50 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $53,030 | $25.50 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $97,150 | $46.71 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $63,910 | $30.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Chemical Technician | $37,510 | $18.04 |
| School Psychologist | $97,210 | $46.74 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| Biological Technician | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $67,660 | $32.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Microbiologist | $63,680 | $30.61 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $34,370 | $16.52 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $38,980 | $18.74 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Puerto Rico
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 Puerto Rico?
The median salary for chemists in Puerto Rico is $76,450 a year, or $36.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Puerto Rico?
The top 10% of chemists in Puerto Rico earn at least $135,530 a year. The top 25% earn $104,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Puerto Rico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,160 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $52,830 or less.
How many chemists work in Puerto Rico?
About 810 chemists are employed in Puerto Rico, not counting the self-employed.