Chemist salary in Waco, TX
Chemists in the Waco, TX metro area earn a median of $61,880 a year ($29.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,220 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 38% lower than the Texas statewide median of $99,640. There are 0.37 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $69,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Waco, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 25th percentile | $58,500 | $28.13 |
| Median | $61,880 | $29.75 |
| 75th percentile | $75,490 | $36.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,220 | $46.26 |
| Average (mean) | $69,780 | $33.55 |
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 | $5,156.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,578.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,380 |
| Weekly | $1,190 |
| Hourly | $29.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | $131,860 | 70 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $106,740 | 2,430 |
| Longview, TX | $99,880 | 30 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $99,390 | 160 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $93,410 | 80 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $91,040 | 290 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $81,270 | 850 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $79,770 | 300 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $65,080 | 90 |
| El Paso, TX | $63,620 | 80 |
| Lubbock, TX | $57,090 | 40 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waco, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $97,400 | $46.83 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $84,670 | $40.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $70,220 | $33.76 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $53,750 | $25.84 |
| Chemical Technician | $53,660 | $25.80 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| Conservation Scientist | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $41,310 | $19.86 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $88,430 | $42.51 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Waco, TX
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 Waco, TX?
The median salary for chemists in the Waco, TX metro area is $61,880 a year, or $29.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Waco, TX?
The top 10% of chemists in the Waco, TX metro area earn at least $96,220 a year. The top 25% earn $75,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Waco, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,590 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $58,500 or less.
How many chemists work in Waco, TX?
About 50 chemists are employed in the Waco, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.