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Intermediate Chemist Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Chemist in the United States is $81,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,519
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,600 to $88,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,131
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Chemist Salaries

An Intermediate 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 Intermediate Chemist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate 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 Intermediate 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 Intermediate Chemists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $89,700.
  • California: $89,400.
  • Massachusetts: $88,200.

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate 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: $102,200
  • San Francisco: $101,100
  • Oakland: $99,000

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Chemist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.39% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • LIMS (Mentioned in 1.56% Job Postings): A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is software that allows you to effectively manage samples and associated data.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.39%
Calibration 2.82%
LIMS 1.56%
See More Skills

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 Intermediate Chemist's salary.

  • Authenticity: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Clinical Diagnostic: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Authenticity $85,050
5%
Collaboration $85,050
5%
Clinical Diagnostic $84,240
4%
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Intermediate Chemist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Chemist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $90,573. While startup companies pay approximate $76,662.

Intermediate Chemist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $76,662
Growth Stage 51~500 $81,063
Established 501~5000 $87,473
Enterprise 5000+ $90,573

Intermediate Chemist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Chemist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Chemist positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Chemist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Chemist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$129,600$62.060%
Pharmaceuticals$113,400$55.040%
Financial Services$105,300$51.030%
Business Services$101,250$49.025%
MFG Nondurable$97,200$47.020%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Chemist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate 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 Intermediate Chemist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $79,833 and $85,276).

Intermediate Chemist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Chemist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 0.6%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 62.3%
Masters 27.3%
Doctorate 8.9%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Intermediate 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
$70,600
Average $81,000/year
$88,600
$5,883
Average $6,750/month
$7,383
$1,358
Average $1,558/week
$1,704
$34
Average $39/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,600 $7,383 $1,704 $43
Average $81,000 $6,750 $1,558 $39
25th Percentile $70,600 $5,883 $1,358 $34

Intermediate Chemist Salary Growth & Career Path

Intermediate Chemist

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Intermediate 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
Senior Biologist $83,500 3%
Mine Geologist III $85,600 6%
Senior Geophysicist $141,500 75%
Hydrogeologist III $113,100 40%

Most common benefits for Intermediate Chemist

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

Common company salaries for Intermediate Chemist

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

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FAQ about Intermediate Chemist

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Chemist roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

2. How much does a PHD in chemistry make in the US?

A PhD in chemistry in the US typically earns a salary ranging from $75,400 to $96,900, with a median salary of approximately $85,300. Salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific industry in which one is employed.

3. Are chemists in demand in the US?

Yes, chemists are in demand in the US, with an estimated 87,100 currently employed. The job market for chemists is projected to grow by 6.2% from 2022 to 2032. Salaries for intermediate chemists range from $75,400 to $96,900, with a median salary of $85,300, reflecting the increasing need for skilled professionals in the field.

4. What is the lowest pay for a chemist?

The lowest pay for an Intermediate Chemist is $75,400 annually. Salaries typically range from this minimum up to a mid-level salary of $85,300, with top earners making as much as $96,900. This reflects the competitive nature of the field and the value placed on experienced chemists.

5. How much do chemists get paid in the US?

Chemists in the US earn between $75,400 and $96,900 annually, with a median salary of approximately $85,300. These figures reflect the salary range for Intermediate Chemists, providing a clear picture of potential earnings in this field.

6. How long does it take to become a senior chemist?

To become a senior chemist, you typically need a Baccalaureate degree in chemistry or a related field, along with four years of full-time experience as a professional chemist. Additionally, at least two years of experience in water or wastewater analysis is required. Salaries for intermediate chemists range from $75,400 to $96,900, with a midpoint of $85,300.

7. What is the best salary for a chemist?

The best salary for an Intermediate Chemist ranges from ₹75,400 to ₹96,900 annually, with a mid-range salary of ₹85,300. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the potential for growth and advancement in a chemist's career.

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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