Chemist salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Chemists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $73,670 a year ($35.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,990 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 4% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $77,090. There are 0.48 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| 25th percentile | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Median | $73,670 | $35.42 |
| 75th percentile | $85,920 | $41.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,990 | $50.00 |
| Average (mean) | $77,740 | $37.38 |
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 | $6,139.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,069.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,833.46 |
| Weekly | $1,416.73 |
| Hourly | $35.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,670 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 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $95,440 | 4,520 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,200 | 160 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $88,530 | 80 |
| Reading, PA | $81,520 | 90 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $79,600 | 400 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $74,200 | 980 |
| 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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Economist | $80,010 | $38.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| Biological Technician | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| School Psychologist | $77,160 | $37.10 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $135,390 | $65.09 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,430 | $46.36 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for chemists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $73,670 a year, or $35.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $103,990 a year. The top 25% earn $85,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,480 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $61,710 or less.
How many chemists work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 160 chemists are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.