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Chemist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Chemist I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemist I in the United States is $65,304 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,551
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,059 to $71,191
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,463
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chemist I Salaries

A Chemist I'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 Chemist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemist I'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:

  • Chemist I (0-2 years): $65,304
  • Chemist II (2-4 years): $80,996
  • Chemist III (4-7 years): $98,152
  • Chemist IV (7+ years): $128,725
  • Chemist V (7-10 years): $150,304
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemist I0-2 years$65,304
Chemist II2-4 years$80,996
Chemist III4-7 years$98,152
Chemist IV7+ years$128,725
Chemist V7-10 years$150,304
View as Graph

How Do Chemist Is 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 Chemist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $72,305.
  • California: $72,030.
  • Massachusetts: $71,070.

Top Paying Cities for Chemist I

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: $82,368
  • San Francisco: $81,466
  • Oakland: $79,749

What Skills Can Increase a Chemist I'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 a Chemist I'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 $69,875
7%
Collaboration $69,222
6%
Decision Making $69,222
6%
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Chemist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,021. While startup companies pay approximate $61,826.

Chemist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $61,826
Growth Stage 51~500 $65,368
Established 501~5000 $70,527
Enterprise 5000+ $73,021

Chemist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemist I 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, Chemist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$97,956$47.050%
Software & Networking$91,426$44.040%
Biotechnology$84,895$41.030%
Aerospace & Defense$78,365$38.020%
Pharmaceuticals$78,365$38.020%

How Education impacts an Chemist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemist I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Chemist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,376 and $68,659.

Chemist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chemist I
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

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

Understanding how a Chemist I'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
$58,059
Average $65,304/year
$71,191
$4,838
Average $5,442/month
$5,933
$1,117
Average $1,256/week
$1,369
$28
Average $31/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,191 $5,933 $1,369 $34
Average $65,304 $5,442 $1,256 $31
25th Percentile $58,059 $4,838 $1,117 $28

Chemist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Chemist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Chemist I, 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
Agronomist $67,345 3%
Biologist II $66,840 2%
Geologist II $68,817 5%
Geophysicist II $110,674 69%

Most common benefits for Chemist I

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

Common company salaries for Chemist I

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

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FAQ about Chemist I

1. Where can a Chemist I earn the most?

A Chemist I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Chemist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chemist I is $82,368.

2. What is the highest pay for Chemist I?

The highest pay for Chemist I is $76,551.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chemist I?

The lowest pay for Chemist I is $51,463.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chemist I?

Evaluates the chemical and physical properties of various organic and inorganic substances. Utilizes established methods and procedures and laboratory equipment to perform analytical testing of substances. Prepares compounds, reagents and solutions. Develop and write technical reports of testing results. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chemist I?

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

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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