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Applied Chemist Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Applied Chemist in the United States is $98,975 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $114,735
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,813 to $107,224
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,562
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Applied Chemist Salaries

An Applied 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 Applied Chemist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Applied 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-Level (less than 1 year): $78,384
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,091
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $110,966
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,819
  • Expert (over 8 years): $159,276
Levels Salary
Technical... Level Applied Chemist$78,384
Applied C... Level Applied Chemist$101,091
Technical... Level Applied Chemist$110,966
Technical... Level Applied Chemist$140,819
Technical... Level Applied Chemist$159,276
View as Graph

How Do Applied 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 Applied Chemists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $109,585.
  • California: $109,169.
  • Massachusetts: $107,714.

Top Paying Cities for Applied 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: $124,837
  • San Francisco: $123,470
  • Oakland: $120,868

What Skills Can Increase an Applied Chemist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.79% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Web Applications (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): A web application is application software that runs in a web browser, unlike software programs that run locally and natively on the operating system of the device. They are delivered on the World Wide Web to users with an active network connection.
  • Technical Support (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): Offering hands-on assistance and solutions to end-users in addressing and troubleshooting technical issues.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.79%
Web Applications 2.22%
Technical Support 1.77%
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 Applied Chemist's salary.

  • Service Oriented Architecture: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Jira: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Service Oriented Architecture $105,903
7%
Team Development $104,913
6%
Jira $103,923
5%
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Applied Chemist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Applied Chemist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 53% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Applied Chemist positions in Telecom or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Applied Chemist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Applied Chemist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$123,718$59.025%
Business Services$118,769$57.020%
Hospitality & Leisure$110,851$53.012%
Software & Networking$109,862$53.011%
Aerospace & Defense$108,872$52.010%

How Education impacts an Applied Chemist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Applied Chemists enter the field with a Associate'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 Applied Chemist with a Associate's Degree is between $91,232 and $97,253).

Applied Chemist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Applied Chemist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 1.8%
Associates 5.5%
Bachelors 54.9%
Masters 33.8%
Doctorate 3.8%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Applied 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
$88,813
Average $98,975/year
$107,224
$7,401
Average $8,248/month
$8,935
$1,708
Average $1,903/week
$2,062
$43
Average $48/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $107,224 $8,935 $2,062 $52
Average $98,975 $8,248 $1,903 $48
25th Percentile $88,813 $7,401 $1,708 $43

Most common benefits for Applied Chemist

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

Common company salaries for Applied Chemist

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

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FAQ about Applied Chemist

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Applied Chemist roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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