Chemist salary in Syracuse, NY
Chemists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $82,410 a year ($39.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,090 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 9% lower than the New York statewide median of $90,600. There are 0.25 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $96,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| 25th percentile | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Median | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| 75th percentile | $134,960 | $64.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,090 | $70.23 |
| Average (mean) | $96,580 | $46.43 |
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 | $6,867.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,433.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,169.62 |
| Weekly | $1,584.81 |
| Hourly | $39.62 |
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 |
| Rochester, NY | $84,030 | 300 |
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 Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,450 | $37.23 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| School Psychologist | $86,130 | $41.41 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,180 | $45.76 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,770 | $24.89 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Biological Technician | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $54,320 | $26.11 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $138,940 | $66.80 |
| Chemical Technician | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,240 | $37.62 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,190 | $39.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $56,560 | $27.19 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,600 | $41.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for chemists in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $82,410 a year, or $39.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of chemists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $146,090 a year. The top 25% earn $134,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,150 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $64,150 or less.
How many chemists work in Syracuse, NY?
About 70 chemists are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.