Chemist salary in State College, PA
Chemists in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $107,890 a year ($51.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,040 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 40% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $77,090. There are 0.78 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,480, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,730 | $33.04 |
| 25th percentile | $80,840 | $38.87 |
| Median | $107,890 | $51.87 |
| 75th percentile | $107,890 | $51.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,040 | $68.29 |
| Average (mean) | $101,480 | $48.79 |
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 | $8,990.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,495.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,149.62 |
| Weekly | $2,074.81 |
| Hourly | $51.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $95,440 | 4,520 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,200 | 160 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $88,530 | 80 |
| Reading, PA | $81,520 | 90 |
| 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 State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Biological Technician | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,170 | $43.83 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in State College, 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 State College, PA?
The median salary for chemists in the State College, PA metro area is $107,890 a year, or $51.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of chemists in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $142,040 a year. The top 25% earn $107,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,730 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $80,840 or less.
How many chemists work in State College, PA?
About 50 chemists are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.