Virginia Median
$96,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $91,240
State Rank
#21 of 51
1,640 employed here
How much does a Chemist make in Virginia?
Chemists in Virginia take home a median of $96,650 annually — roughly $46.47 an hour — which runs 6% above the national median of $91,240.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $52,870 while the top 10% make $166,230 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,980 and $136,660 a year.
Chemist salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,870 | $25.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,980 | $31.72 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,650 | $46.47 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $136,660 | $65.70 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,230 | $79.92 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 21st out of 51 states and territories for Chemist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemist salary in other states
District of Columbia $149,860Maryland $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 $97,330Georgia $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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($96,650) 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 Virginia?
The median Chemist salary in Virginia is $96,650 per year, or about $46.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,870 at the entry level to $166,230 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Chemists about 6% more than the national median of $91,240. Virginia ranks 21st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Chemists?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $96,650 a year. About 1,640 Chemists are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.