Chemist salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
Chemists in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn a median of $79,980 a year ($38.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,530 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 1% lower than the Utah statewide median of $80,770. There are 0.71 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,150 | $26.51 |
| 25th percentile | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Median | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| 75th percentile | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,530 | $59.87 |
| Average (mean) | $83,580 | $40.18 |
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 | $6,665 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,332.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,076.15 |
| Weekly | $1,538.08 |
| Hourly | $38.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Utah 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ogden, UT | $90,740 | 90 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $78,020 | 150 |
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 Utah statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $93,030 | $44.73 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $123,240 | $59.25 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $100,650 | $48.39 |
| Hydrologist | $94,420 | $45.40 |
| Materials Scientist | $101,120 | $48.62 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,940 | $39.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,180 | $43.36 |
| Biological Technician | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,160 | $47.68 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| Chemical Technician | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $86,510 | $41.59 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $50,620 | $24.34 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
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 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The median salary for chemists in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area is $79,980 a year, or $38.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The top 10% of chemists in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn at least $124,530 a year. The top 25% earn $96,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,150 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $64,030 or less.
How many chemists work in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
About 580 chemists are employed in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area, not counting the self-employed.