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Chemist II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemist II in the United States is $80,996 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,422
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,562 to $88,547
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,062
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chemist II Salaries

A Chemist II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemist II'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 II 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $89,679.
  • California: $89,339.
  • Massachusetts: $88,148.

Top Paying Cities for Chemist IIs

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: $102,160
  • San Francisco: $101,042
  • Oakland: $98,912

What Skills Can Increase a Chemist II'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 a Chemist II'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 $85,046
5%
Collaboration $85,046
5%
Clinical Diagnostic $84,236
4%
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Chemist II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $90,568. While startup companies pay approximate $76,658.

Chemist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $76,658
Growth Stage 51~500 $81,059
Established 501~5000 $87,469
Enterprise 5000+ $90,568

Chemist II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemist II 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, Chemist positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$129,594$62.060%
Pharmaceuticals$113,394$55.040%
Financial Services$105,295$51.030%
Business Services$101,245$49.025%
MFG Nondurable$97,195$47.020%

How Education impacts a Chemist II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemist II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $80,183 and $85,677.

Chemist II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chemist II
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

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

Understanding how a Chemist II'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
$70,562
Average $80,996/year
$88,547
$5,880
Average $6,750/month
$7,379
$1,357
Average $1,558/week
$1,703
$34
Average $39/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,547 $7,379 $1,703 $43
Average $80,996 $6,750 $1,558 $39
25th Percentile $70,562 $5,880 $1,357 $34

Chemist II Salary Growth & Career Path

Chemist II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Chemist II, 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
Biologist III $83,426 3%
Geologist III $85,555 6%
Geophysicist III $141,498 75%
Hydrologist III $113,023 40%

Most common benefits for Chemist II

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

Common company salaries for Chemist II

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

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FAQ about Chemist II

1. Where can a Chemist II earn the most?

A Chemist II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chemist II is $102,160.

2. What is the highest pay for Chemist II?

The highest pay for Chemist II is $95,422.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chemist II?

The lowest pay for Chemist II is $61,062.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chemist II?

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 2 to 4 years of related experience. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemist II roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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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