Chemist salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Chemists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $127,290 a year ($61.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,220 for the top 10%. That is 40% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $125,000. There are 1.1 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $130,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| 25th percentile | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Median | $127,290 | $61.20 |
| 75th percentile | $164,790 | $79.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,220 | $102.03 |
| Average (mean) | $130,520 | $62.75 |
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 | $10,607.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,303.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,895.77 |
| Weekly | $2,447.88 |
| Hourly | $61.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $127,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $100,730 | 190 |
| Worcester, MA | $100,720 | 370 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $100,090 | 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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Physicist | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Materials Scientist | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $137,050 | $65.89 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $102,730 | $49.39 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,500 | $62.26 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,550 | $63.25 |
| Biological Technician | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,960 | $50.94 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $110,410 | $53.08 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $121,270 | $58.30 |
| Microbiologist | $122,350 | $58.82 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for chemists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $127,290 a year, or $61.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of chemists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $212,220 a year. The top 25% earn $164,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,120 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $86,330 or less.
How many chemists work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 2,960 chemists are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.