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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemist IV in the United States is $128,725 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,536
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,804 to $140,665
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,130

Key Factors That Influence Chemist IV Salaries

A Chemist IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemist IV'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

Top Paying Cities for Chemist IVs

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: $162,361
  • San Francisco: $160,583
  • Oakland: $157,199

What Skills Can Increase a Chemist IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 12.81% 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 2.05% 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.
  • Chemical Engineering (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilisation of nano-technology and nano-materials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, process design and analysis, modeling, control engineering, chemical reaction engineering, nuclear engineering, biological engineering, construction specification, and operating instructions. Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practising engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 12.81%
Analytical Chemistry 2.05%
Chemical Engineering 1.2%

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 IV's salary.

  • Product Testing: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Housekeeping: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Testing $145,459
13%
Process Improvement $144,172
12%
Housekeeping $141,598
10%

Chemist IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemist IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $143,936. While startup companies pay approximate $121,869.

Chemist IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $121,869
Growth Stage 51~500 $128,852
Established 501~5000 $139,020
Enterprise 5000+ $143,936

Chemist IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemist IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Chemist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemist IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemist IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$154,470$74.020%
Biotechnology$148,034$71.015%
Aerospace & Defense$141,598$68.010%
Chemicals$141,598$68.010%
Financial Services$141,598$68.010%

How Education impacts a Chemist IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemist IV 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 IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Chemist IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chemist IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 1.3%
Associates 0.8%
Bachelors 18.8%
Masters 24.3%
Doctorate 54.8%

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

Understanding how a Chemist IV'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
$114,804
Average $128,725/year
$140,665
$9,567
Average $10,727/month
$11,722
$2,208
Average $2,475/week
$2,705
$55
Average $62/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $140,665 $11,722 $2,705 $68
Average $128,725 $10,727 $2,475 $62
25th Percentile $114,804 $9,567 $2,208 $55

Chemist IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Chemist IV, 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.

Chemist IV Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biologist V $137,001 6%
Geologist V $131,007 2%
Geophysicist V $192,103 49%
Microbiologist V $133,860 4%

Most common benefits for Chemist IV

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

Common company salaries for Chemist IV

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

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FAQ about Chemist IV

1. Where can a Chemist IV earn the most?

A Chemist IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chemist IV is $162,361.

2. What is the highest pay for Chemist IV?

The highest pay for Chemist IV is $151,536.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chemist IV?

The lowest pay for Chemist IV is $102,130.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chemist IV?

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 master's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemist IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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