Chemist salary in Roanoke, VA
Chemists in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $86,720 a year ($41.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,020 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 10% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $96,650. There are 0.33 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $89,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| 25th percentile | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Median | $86,720 | $41.69 |
| 75th percentile | $113,950 | $54.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,020 | $68.28 |
| Average (mean) | $89,840 | $43.19 |
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 | $7,226.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,613.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,335.38 |
| Weekly | $1,667.69 |
| Hourly | $41.69 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $87,580 | 320 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $87,260 | 90 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $128,590 | $61.82 |
| School Psychologist | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| Biological Technician | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $42,850 | $20.60 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for chemists in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $86,720 a year, or $41.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $142,020 a year. The top 25% earn $113,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,440 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $58,820 or less.
How many chemists work in Roanoke, VA?
About 50 chemists are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.