Chemist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Chemists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $87,990 a year ($42.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,430 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 10% lower than the Washington statewide median of $97,420. There are 0.52 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,220 | $31.84 |
| 25th percentile | $79,020 | $37.99 |
| Median | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| 75th percentile | $117,470 | $56.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,430 | $80.98 |
| Average (mean) | $102,470 | $49.27 |
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 | $7,332.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,666.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,384.23 |
| Weekly | $1,692.12 |
| Hourly | $42.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,990 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 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $93,340 | 50 |
| 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $107,800 | $51.83 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,720 | $64.77 |
| Physicist | $140,370 | $67.48 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $92,600 | $44.52 |
| Materials Scientist | $137,520 | $66.11 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,140 | $50.55 |
| School Psychologist | $115,570 | $55.56 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $96,450 | $46.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for chemists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $87,990 a year, or $42.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $168,430 a year. The top 25% earn $117,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,220 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $79,020 or less.
How many chemists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,090 chemists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.