Chemists Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$101,400
- 25th Percentile — Junior$128,610
- 50th Percentile — Median$149,860
- 75th Percentile — Senior$172,560
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$195,190
Half of Chemists in District of Columbia earn more than $149,860. The top 10% make $195,190 or more, while entry-level workers start around $101,400.
Chemists in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for Chemists pay, at $148,840 per year (48.2% above the U.S. average of $100,450).
- 280 people work as Chemists in District of Columbia — 0.3% of all U.S. Chemists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.74: Chemists jobs are less concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $101,400; the top 10% earn over $195,190.
- Hourly equivalent: $71.56 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among science jobs in District of Columbia, Economists pays the most ($175,100).
Chemists Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Chemists here earn $148,840 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $148,840 is roughly equivalent to $97,921 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($139,100), Massachusetts ($128,930), New Mexico ($128,630) are the closest alternatives for Chemists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Economists $175,100/yr District of Columbia +17.6% vs this role
- Physicists $156,320/yr District of Columbia +5.0% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $143,270/yr District of Columbia 3.7% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $141,040/yr District of Columbia 5.2% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $135,050/yr District of Columbia 9.3% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $133,190/yr District of Columbia 10.5% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $121,400/yr District of Columbia 18.4% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $119,310/yr District of Columbia 19.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chemists salary in District of Columbia?
The average Chemists salary in District of Columbia is $148,840 per year (median $149,860), which is 48.2% above the national average of $100,450.
How does District of Columbia rank for Chemists pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($148,840/yr).
How much do entry-level Chemists make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chemists in District of Columbia earn about $101,400 per year and the 25th percentile is $128,610.
How much do Chemists make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $71.56 per hour, based on the $148,840 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chemists work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 280 Chemists jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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