Chemist salary in Rhode Island
Chemists in Rhode Island earn a median of $101,660 a year ($48.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,830 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $91,240. Rhode Island ranks 11th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.29 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $106,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,210 | $33.76 |
| 25th percentile | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Median | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| 75th percentile | $124,750 | $59.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,830 | $70.59 |
| Average (mean) | $106,450 | $51.18 |
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 | $8,471.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,235.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,910 |
| Weekly | $1,955 |
| Hourly | $48.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $100,730 | 190 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $121,010 | $58.18 |
| Physicist | $155,150 | $74.59 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,370 | $49.70 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,490 | $51.68 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $69,630 | $33.48 |
| School Psychologist | $94,900 | $45.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,740 | $48.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,680 | $29.66 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $90,210 | $43.37 |
| Biological Technician | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $101,750 | $48.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for chemists in Rhode Island is $101,660 a year, or $48.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of chemists in Rhode Island earn at least $146,830 a year. The top 25% earn $124,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,210 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $85,610 or less.
How many chemists work in Rhode Island?
About 150 chemists are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.