Chemists Salary in Virginia
Chemists in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $96,650 —5.9% above the national median of $91,240. That ranks VA #21 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.75× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Highest-paying states for chemists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $149,860 | $72.05 | 280 | 0.74 |
| 2 | Maryland | $140,670 | $67.63 | 2,480 | 1.69 |
| 3 | Delaware | $129,860 | $62.43 | 1,200 | 4.65 |
| 4 | New Mexico | $126,960 | $61.04 | 280 | 0.61 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $125,000 | $60.09 | 3,430 | 1.77 |
| 6 | Alaska | $106,010 | $50.96 | 60 | 0.35 |
| 7 | Oregon | $104,590 | $50.28 | 730 | 0.70 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $103,890 | $49.95 | 740 | 0.72 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $102,000 | $49.04 | 80 | 0.53 |
| 10 | Colorado | $101,980 | $49.03 | 1,790 | 1.17 |
Related occupations in Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,230 | $82,220 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $86,520 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $62,280 |
| Biological Technicians | $53,360 | $57,510 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chemists make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for chemists in Virginia is $96,650, or $46.47 per hour. That is 5.9% above the national median of $91,240.
What is the entry-level chemists salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $52,870 per year ($25.42/hour). The 25th percentile is $65,980.
How many people work as chemists in Virginia?
About 1,640 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 0.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for chemists?
Virginia ranks #21 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.75x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Which state pays chemists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $149,860 per year, followed by Maryland ($140,670) and Delaware ($129,860).