Chemist salary in Yakima, WA
Chemists in the Yakima, WA metro area earn a median of $78,580 a year ($37.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,160 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 19% lower than the Washington statewide median of $97,420. There are 0.46 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Yakima, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,930 | $24.49 |
| 25th percentile | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Median | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| 75th percentile | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,160 | $51.52 |
| Average (mean) | $79,530 | $38.24 |
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 | $6,548.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,274.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,022.31 |
| Weekly | $1,511.15 |
| Hourly | $37.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Yakima, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,790 | $42.69 |
| Food Science Technician | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| School Psychologist | $107,130 | $51.51 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Biological Technician | $56,560 | $27.19 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,460 | $37.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Yakima, WA
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 Yakima, WA?
The median salary for chemists in the Yakima, WA metro area is $78,580 a year, or $37.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Yakima, WA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Yakima, WA metro area earn at least $107,160 a year. The top 25% earn $98,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Yakima, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,930 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $62,960 or less.
How many chemists work in Yakima, WA?
About 40 chemists are employed in the Yakima, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.