Chemists

Salary levels for chemists vary based on education, experience, and the area in which they work. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, median annual earnings for all chemists were $84,680 in May 2023. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $52,950, and the highest paid 10 percent made more than $149,550 annually. Chemists working for the federal government had mean incomes of $128,020, while those employed in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing earned $86,740.

According to a past survey by the American Chemical Society, salaries tend to be highest on the East Coast, Middle Atlantic and West Coast. In addition, those working in industry usually have the highest earnings, while those in academia have the lowest. In addition, chemists who have a Ph.D. generally earn more money per year than chemists who do not.

As highly trained, full-time professionals, most chemists receive health insurance, paid vacations, retirement plans, and sick leave. The specifics of these benefits vary from employer to employer. Chemists who teach at the college or university level usually work on an academic calendar, which means they get extensive breaks from teaching classes during summer and winter recesses.