Chemist salary in District of Columbia
Chemists in District of Columbia earn a median of $149,860 a year ($72.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $101,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 64% higher than the national median of $91,240. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for chemists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.39 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $148,840, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| 25th percentile | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Median | $149,860 | $72.05 |
| 75th percentile | $172,560 | $82.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $148,840 | $71.56 |
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 | $12,488.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,244.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,763.85 |
| Weekly | $2,881.92 |
| Hourly | $72.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $149,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $144,680 | 2,490 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Physicist | $157,040 | $75.50 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,860 | $49.93 |
| Materials Scientist | $137,600 | $66.16 |
| Political Scientist | $152,530 | $73.33 |
| Economist | $167,590 | $80.57 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| Historian | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| School Psychologist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for chemists in District of Columbia is $149,860 a year, or $72.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $101,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of chemists in District of Columbia earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $172,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $101,400 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $128,610 or less.
How many chemists work in District of Columbia?
About 280 chemists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.