Chemist salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Chemists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $88,890 a year ($42.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,850 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 8% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $82,620. There are 0.48 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| 25th percentile | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Median | $88,890 | $42.74 |
| 75th percentile | $111,790 | $53.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,850 | $63.87 |
| Average (mean) | $93,970 | $45.18 |
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 | $7,407.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,703.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,418.85 |
| Weekly | $1,709.42 |
| Hourly | $42.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $88,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $122,350 | 90 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $98,090 | 240 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $97,690 | 300 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $92,080 | 30 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $90,070 | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $84,150 | 740 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $81,990 | 200 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,580 | 1,140 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $80,870 | 160 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $80,860 | 110 |
| Wilmington, NC | $78,130 | 400 |
| Columbia, SC | $73,430 | 190 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $72,340 | 70 |
| Asheville, NC | $66,910 | 40 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,730 | $34.97 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,420 | $41.55 |
| Materials Scientist | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,160 | $43.83 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $97,440 | $46.84 |
| School Psychologist | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,170 | $39.98 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $90,580 | $43.55 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,670 | $29.65 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for chemists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $88,890 a year, or $42.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of chemists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $132,850 a year. The top 25% earn $111,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,120 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $69,990 or less.
How many chemists work in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
About 650 chemists are employed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.