Chemist salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
Chemists in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn a median of $93,340 a year ($44.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,660 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 4% lower than the Washington statewide median of $97,420. There are 0.40 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $105,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| 25th percentile | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| Median | $93,340 | $44.87 |
| 75th percentile | $109,890 | $52.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $183,660 | $88.30 |
| Average (mean) | $105,790 | $50.86 |
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 | $7,778.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,889.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,590 |
| Weekly | $1,795 |
| Hourly | $44.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $93,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $108,010 | 80 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $94,990 | 430 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,990 | 1,090 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $81,680 | 40 |
| Yakima, WA | $78,580 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $77,400 | 90 |
| Bellingham, WA | $64,560 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,700 | $41.68 |
| Hydrologist | $93,340 | $44.87 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $95,640 | $45.98 |
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Economist | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,640 | $45.98 |
| Forester | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Biological Technician | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| School Psychologist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $119,520 | $57.46 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $108,240 | $52.04 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The median salary for chemists in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area is $93,340 a year, or $44.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn at least $183,660 a year. The top 25% earn $109,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,130 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $73,460 or less.
How many chemists work in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
About 50 chemists are employed in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.