Chemist salary in Washington
Chemists in Washington earn a median of $97,420 a year ($46.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,090 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $91,240. Washington ranks 19th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.64 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,690 | $30.14 |
| 25th percentile | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| Median | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| 75th percentile | $128,500 | $61.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,090 | $79.37 |
| Average (mean) | $104,480 | $50.23 |
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 | $8,118.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,059.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,746.92 |
| Weekly | $1,873.46 |
| Hourly | $46.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $108,010 | 80 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $94,990 | 430 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $93,340 | 50 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,990 | 1,090 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $81,680 | 40 |
| Yakima, WA | $78,580 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $77,400 | 90 |
| Bellingham, WA | $64,560 | 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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $133,980 | $64.41 |
| Physicist | $134,790 | $64.81 |
| Hydrologist | $105,600 | $50.77 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,250 | $61.18 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $94,400 | $45.39 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $100,990 | $48.56 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| School Psychologist | $108,780 | $52.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for chemists in Washington is $97,420 a year, or $46.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Washington?
The top 10% of chemists in Washington earn at least $165,090 a year. The top 25% earn $128,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,690 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $77,390 or less.
How many chemists work in Washington?
About 2,280 chemists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.