Chemist salary in Richmond, VA
Chemists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $87,580 a year ($42.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,520 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 9% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $96,650. There are 0.48 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,840 | $25.41 |
| 25th percentile | $63,170 | $30.37 |
| Median | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| 75th percentile | $122,120 | $58.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,520 | $78.14 |
| Average (mean) | $96,510 | $46.40 |
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 | $7,298.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,649.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,368.46 |
| Weekly | $1,684.23 |
| Hourly | $42.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $144,680 | 2,490 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $96,650 | 80 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $87,260 | 90 |
| Roanoke, VA | $86,720 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $81,990 | 200 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $63,960 | 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 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $112,510 | $54.09 |
| Physicist | $218,290 | $104.95 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| School Psychologist | $82,440 | $39.64 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,100 | $37.07 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for chemists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $87,580 a year, or $42.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $162,520 a year. The top 25% earn $122,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,840 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $63,170 or less.
How many chemists work in Richmond, VA?
About 320 chemists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.