Chemist salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Chemists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median of $106,740 a year ($51.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,540 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 7% higher than the Texas statewide median of $99,640. There are 0.74 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $118,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| 25th percentile | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Median | $106,740 | $51.32 |
| 75th percentile | $163,930 | $78.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,540 | $81.99 |
| Average (mean) | $118,290 | $56.87 |
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 | $8,895 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,447.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,105.38 |
| Weekly | $2,052.69 |
| Hourly | $51.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $106,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | $131,860 | 70 |
| Longview, TX | $99,880 | 30 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $99,390 | 160 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $93,410 | 80 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $91,040 | 290 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $81,270 | 850 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $79,770 | 300 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $65,080 | 90 |
| El Paso, TX | $63,620 | 80 |
| Waco, TX | $61,880 | 50 |
| Lubbock, TX | $57,090 | 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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $174,490 | $83.89 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,170 | $45.75 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $91,430 | $43.96 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $88,570 | $42.58 |
| Physicist | $199,770 | $96.05 |
| Materials Scientist | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Hydrologist | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $65,050 | $31.28 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,680 | $23.41 |
| Biological Technician | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| School Psychologist | $84,850 | $40.79 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median salary for chemists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $106,740 a year, or $51.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The top 10% of chemists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn at least $170,540 a year. The top 25% earn $163,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,370 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $78,490 or less.
How many chemists work in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
About 2,430 chemists are employed in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.