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Entry Chemist Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Chemist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Chemist in the United States is $65,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, an Entry Chemist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,481
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,100 to $71,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,454
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Chemist Salaries

An Entry Chemist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Chemist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Chemist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Chemist (0-2 years): $65,304
  • Intermediate Chemist (2-4 years): $80,996
  • Senior Chemist (4-7 years): $98,152
  • Specialist Chemist (7+ years): $128,725
  • Expert Chemist (7-10 years): $150,304
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Chemist0-2 years$65,304
Intermediate Chemist2-4 years$80,996
Senior Chemist4-7 years$98,152
Specialist Chemist7+ years$128,725
Expert Chemist7-10 years$150,304
View as Graph

How Do Entry Chemist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Chemists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $72,400.
  • California: $72,100.
  • Massachusetts: $71,100.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Chemists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $82,400
  • San Francisco: $81,500
  • Oakland: $79,800

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Chemist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 12.55% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Analytical Chemistry (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Analytical chemistry studies and uses instruments and methods used to separate, identify, and quantify matter. In practice, separation, identification or quantification may constitute the entire analysis or be combined with another method. Separation isolates analytes. Qualitative analysis identifies analytes, while quantitative analysis determines the numerical amount or concentration. Analytical chemistry consists of classical, wet chemical methods and modern, instrumental methods. Classical qualitative methods use separations such as precipitation, extraction, and distillation. Identification may be based on differences in color, odor, melting point, boiling point, radioactivity or reactivity. Classical quantitative analysis uses mass or volume changes to quantify amount. Instrumental methods may be used to separate samples using chromatography, electrophoresis or field flow fractionation. Then qualitative and quantitative analysis can be performed, often with the same instrument and may use light interaction, heat interaction, electric fields or magnetic fields. Often the same instrument can separate, identify and quantify an analyte.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 1.56% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 12.55%
Analytical Chemistry 2.29%
Quality Assurance 1.56%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Chemist's salary.

  • Biochemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Biochemistry $69,978
7%
Collaboration $69,324
6%
Decision Making $69,324
6%
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Entry Chemist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Chemist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,128. While startup companies pay approximate $61,917.

Entry Chemist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $61,917
Growth Stage 51~500 $65,464
Established 501~5000 $70,631
Enterprise 5000+ $73,128

Entry Chemist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Chemist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Entry Chemist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Chemist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Chemist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$98,100$47.050%
Software & Networking$91,560$44.040%
Biotechnology$85,020$41.030%
Aerospace & Defense$78,480$38.020%
Pharmaceuticals$78,480$38.020%

How Education impacts an Entry Chemist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Chemists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Chemist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,142 and $68,399).

Entry Chemist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Chemist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 0.7%
Associates 1.7%
Bachelors 73.1%
Masters 16.4%
Doctorate 7.6%
View as Graph

Entry Chemist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Chemist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$58,100
Average $65,400/year
$71,200
$4,842
Average $5,450/month
$5,933
$1,117
Average $1,258/week
$1,369
$28
Average $31/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,200 $5,933 $1,369 $34
Average $65,400 $5,450 $1,258 $31
25th Percentile $58,100 $4,842 $1,117 $28

Entry Chemist Salary Growth & Career Path

Entry Chemist

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Chemist, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Crop Scientist $67,400 3%
Intermediate Biologist $66,900 2%
Intermediate Geologist $68,900 5%
Intermediate Geophysicist $110,700 69%

Most common benefits for Entry Chemist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Chemist

Here are companies hiring for Entry Chemist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Chemist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Chemist?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Chemist roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. How much does a 1st year pharmacist make?

An entry-level chemist typically earns between $62,800 and $80,400 annually, with a median salary of around $71,600. While some cities offer higher salaries for pharmacists, entry-level chemists have a solid starting salary range that reflects their expertise and the demand for their skills in the industry.

3. How many hours do chemists work?

Chemists typically work regular hours, usually around 40 hours a week, though longer hours can occur. Depending on their role, especially in research, they may need to work odd hours in laboratories or other settings. Entry-level chemists can expect salaries ranging from $62,800 to $80,400, with a mid-salary of $71,600.

4. How much do entry level pharmacists make in the US?

As of now, the salary for an Entry Chemist in the United States ranges from $62,800 to $80,400 annually, with a median salary of $71,600. This translates to approximately $30.19 to $38.65 per hour, or about $1,207 to $1,538 per week.

5. How hard is pharmacy school?

Pharmacy school is rigorous, demanding mastery of complex scientific concepts, rotations, and multiple exams. It's not just about memorizing drug names; it involves understanding pharmacology, patient care, and the evolving healthcare landscape. Graduates can expect entry-level salaries ranging from $62,800 to $80,400, reflecting the high level of expertise required in the field.

6. What is an entry level chemist?

An entry-level chemist is responsible for assisting project managers with data analysis, report writing, and the setup, calibration, operation, and maintenance of lab equipment. The salary for this position typically ranges from $62,800 to $80,400, with a mid-point salary of $71,600, reflecting the skills and responsibilities involved in the role.

7. What is the best salary for a chemist?

The best salary for an Entry Chemist ranges from ₹62,800 to ₹80,400 annually, with a mid-range salary of ₹71,600. This indicates that a Chemist can expect to earn between ₹5.2 Lakhs and ₹6.7 Lakhs per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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