Chemist salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Chemists in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median of $79,600 a year ($38.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,290 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $77,090. There are 1.0 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| 25th percentile | $60,620 | $29.15 |
| Median | $79,600 | $38.27 |
| 75th percentile | $123,630 | $59.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,290 | $77.54 |
| Average (mean) | $94,850 | $45.60 |
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 | $6,633.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,316.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,061.54 |
| Weekly | $1,530.77 |
| Hourly | $38.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| State College, PA | $107,890 | 50 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $105,610 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $95,440 | 4,520 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,200 | 160 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $88,530 | 80 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,150 | 6,750 |
| Reading, PA | $81,520 | 90 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $81,500 | 480 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $74,200 | 980 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $73,670 | 160 |
| Johnstown, PA | $59,920 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,280 | $38.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $88,360 | $42.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| School Psychologist | $91,930 | $44.20 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,060 | $27.43 |
| Food Science Technician | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Biological Technician | $44,960 | $21.61 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,910 | $31.21 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $75,980 | $36.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The median salary for chemists in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $79,600 a year, or $38.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The top 10% of chemists in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn at least $161,290 a year. The top 25% earn $123,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,820 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $60,620 or less.
How many chemists work in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
About 400 chemists are employed in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.