Chemist salary in Rochester, NY
Chemists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $84,030 a year ($40.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,580 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 7% lower than the New York statewide median of $90,600. There are 0.61 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,090 | $32.26 |
| 25th percentile | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Median | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| 75th percentile | $107,960 | $51.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,580 | $72.39 |
| Average (mean) | $97,950 | $47.09 |
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 | $7,002.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,501.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,231.92 |
| Weekly | $1,615.96 |
| Hourly | $40.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $110,920 | 400 |
| Ithaca, NY | $91,330 | 30 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $87,130 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,150 | 6,750 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $84,510 | 320 |
| Syracuse, NY | $82,410 | 70 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Materials Scientist | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $95,850 | $46.08 |
| School Psychologist | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $89,230 | $42.90 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,010 | $51.45 |
| Biological Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,320 | $26.60 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for chemists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $84,030 a year, or $40.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of chemists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $150,580 a year. The top 25% earn $107,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,090 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $73,790 or less.
How many chemists work in Rochester, NY?
About 300 chemists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.