Washington Median
$97,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $91,240
State Rank
#19 of 51
2,280 employed here
How much does a Chemist make in Washington?
A Chemist working in Washington earns a median salary of $97,420 per year, or about $46.84 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $91,240 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $62,690 while the top 10% make $165,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,390 and $128,500 a year.
Chemist salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,690 | $30.14 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $77,390 | $37.21 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $97,420 | $46.84 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $128,500 | $61.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,090 | $79.37 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 19th 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 $97,440North 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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($97,420) 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 Washington?
The median Chemist salary in Washington is $97,420 per year, or about $46.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,690 at the entry level to $165,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Chemists about 7% more than the national median of $91,240. Washington ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Chemists?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $97,420 a year. About 2,280 Chemists are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.