Chemist salary in Reading, PA
Chemists in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $81,520 a year ($39.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,980 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 6% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $77,090. There are 0.54 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| 25th percentile | $67,480 | $32.44 |
| Median | $81,520 | $39.19 |
| 75th percentile | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,980 | $69.70 |
| Average (mean) | $94,050 | $45.21 |
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 | $6,793.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,396.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,135.38 |
| Weekly | $1,567.69 |
| Hourly | $39.19 |
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 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $79,600 | 400 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $74,200 | 980 |
| 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 Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $66,730 | $32.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,880 | $45.13 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $87,280 | $41.96 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,380 | $41.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| School Psychologist | $85,900 | $41.30 |
| Biological Technician | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Conservation Scientist | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,620 | $40.20 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Reading, 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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for chemists in the Reading, PA metro area is $81,520 a year, or $39.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $144,980 a year. The top 25% earn $102,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,560 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $67,480 or less.
How many chemists work in Reading, PA?
About 90 chemists are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.