District of Columbia Median
$149,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$72.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+64% vs US median
US median $91,240
State Rank
#1 of 51
280 employed here
How much does a Chemist make in District of Columbia?
Chemists in District of Columbia take home a median of $149,860 annually — roughly $72.05 an hour — which runs 64% above the national median of $91,240.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $101,400 while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $128,610 and $172,560 a year.
Chemist salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,400 | $48.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $128,610 | $61.83 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $149,860 | $72.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $172,560 | $82.96 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Chemist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemist salary in other states
Maryland $140,670Delaware $129,860New Mexico $126,960Massachusetts $125,000Alaska $106,010Oregon $104,590Louisiana $103,890Wyoming $102,000Colorado $101,980Rhode Island $101,660New Hampshire $100,050Texas $99,640Minnesota $99,280Connecticut $98,140California $97,860Alabama $97,830Michigan $97,440Washington $97,420North Dakota $97,330Virginia $96,650Georgia $92,750New York $90,600Tennessee $87,930Vermont $86,120Iowa $86,100West Virginia $85,560Ohio $85,270Illinois $85,230New Jersey $84,450Hawaii $84,150Kentucky $84,090Kansas $82,820Missouri $82,800Florida $82,740North Carolina $82,620Arizona $81,730Nevada $81,170Utah $80,770Mississippi $80,060South Carolina $79,670Indiana $78,770Wisconsin $78,730Idaho $78,000Pennsylvania $77,090Arkansas $75,570Oklahoma $74,960Nebraska $74,890South Dakota $67,440Maine $64,440Montana $61,890
Working as a Chemist in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 83,000 people work as Chemists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($149,860) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chemist make in District of Columbia?
The median Chemist salary in District of Columbia is $149,860 per year, or about $72.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $101,400 at the entry level to $195,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Chemists about 64% more than the national median of $91,240. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Chemists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $149,860 a year. About 280 Chemists are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chemist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.