Chemist Salary in New Jersey (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chemists in New Jersey, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$84,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $91,240
State Rank
#30 of 51
5,280 employed here

How much does a Chemist make in New Jersey?

Chemists in New Jersey take home a median of $84,450 annually — roughly $40.60 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $91,240.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $60,910 while the top 10% make $144,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,050 and $109,470 a year.

Chemist salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$60,910$29.28
25th percentile (early career)$75,050$36.08
50th percentile (median)$84,450$40.60
75th percentile (experienced)$109,470$52.63
90th percentile (top earners)$144,030$69.25

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 30th out of 51 states and territories for Chemist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$149,860
2Maryland$140,670
3Delaware$129,860
4New Mexico$126,960
5Massachusetts$125,000

Working as a Chemist in New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($84,450) 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 New Jersey?
The median Chemist salary in New Jersey is $84,450 per year, or about $40.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,910 at the entry level to $144,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Chemists about 7% less than the national median of $91,240. New Jersey ranks 30th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Chemists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $84,450 a year. About 5,280 Chemists are employed in New Jersey. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.