Chemist salary in Worcester, MA
Chemists in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $100,720 a year ($48.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,330 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 19% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $125,000. There are 1.0 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $110,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| 25th percentile | $76,180 | $36.63 |
| Median | $100,720 | $48.43 |
| 75th percentile | $134,860 | $64.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,330 | $81.89 |
| Average (mean) | $110,690 | $53.22 |
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 | $8,393.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,196.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,873.85 |
| Weekly | $1,936.92 |
| Hourly | $48.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $127,290 | 2,960 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $100,730 | 190 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| Materials Scientist | $151,070 | $72.63 |
| Physicist | $153,990 | $74.03 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $125,420 | $60.30 |
| Biological Technician | $69,730 | $33.52 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,310 | $50.63 |
| School Psychologist | $93,090 | $44.76 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $112,060 | $53.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $99,150 | $47.67 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,300 | $42.45 |
| Microbiologist | $115,660 | $55.61 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $93,930 | $45.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for chemists in the Worcester, MA metro area is $100,720 a year, or $48.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $170,330 a year. The top 25% earn $134,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,900 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $76,180 or less.
How many chemists work in Worcester, MA?
About 370 chemists are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.