The salary of a Senior Chemist in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Senior Chemist in the United States is $97,500. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $76,676 to a high of $117,560, with most professionals earning between $86,600 and $108,000.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $2,077 | $52 |
| Average | $97,500 | $8,125 | $1,875 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,600 | $7,217 | $1,665 | $42 |
An entry-level Senior Chemist with less than 1 year of experience earns about $92,619. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $93,433. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $95,060. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $100,634, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $103,455.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Chemist | $92,619 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Chemist | $93,433 |
| Senior Level Senior Chemist | $95,060 |
| Specialist Level Senior Chemist | $100,634 |
| Expert Level Senior Chemist | $103,455 |
| Entry Level | 5% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 6% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Senior Chemist compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $83,250 in 2023 to approximately $82,484 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Senior Chemist salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Senior Chemist information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Senior Chemist job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Senior Chemist and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $97,500 | 71.4% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $7,459 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,095 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $1,950 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 6.1% | ||
| Pension | $5,265 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $12,000 | 8.8% | ||
| Total Compensation | $136,621 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| Associates | 0.9% |
| Bachelors | 29.8% |
| Masters | 31.5% |
| Doctorate | 37.8% |
What Am I Worth?
If you're an inquisitive person with a thirst for knowledge, a career as a Senior Chemist could be promising. With salaries ranging from $95,700 to $119,600, this profession offers financial stability along with the opportunity to contribute to advancements in medicine and sustainable living. Chemists play a vital role in shaping our world.
Chemists analyze the basic properties of matter, finding new applications in the commercial sector and studying implications in academia. They spend over 60% of their time in labs or analyzing data on computers. Salaries for Senior Chemists range from $95,700 to $119,600, with a median of $107,200, reflecting their expertise and the importance of their work.
While mathematics is fundamental to chemistry, its application varies among chemists. Senior Chemists, who typically earn between $95,700 and $119,600, may use math for data analysis, calculations, and modeling, but the extent depends on their specific role and projects. Thus, while math is important, it may not dominate their daily tasks.
To become a Senior Chemist, you typically need a Bachelor's degree in a related field along with six years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with four years of experience. Salaries for Senior Chemists range from $95,700 to $119,600, with a median salary of $107,200, reflecting the expertise and experience required in this role.
Yes, you can make six figures as a chemist. The salary data for a Senior Chemist shows a minimum of $95,700, a mid-range of $107,200, and a maximum of $119,600. In specialized fields like pharmaceutical chemistry or materials science, salaries can reach or exceed these figures, particularly in high-demand roles.
The highest salary for a Senior Chemist is $119,600 per year. The minimum salary starts at $95,700, while the mid-range salary is $107,200. This reflects the potential earnings for experienced professionals in the field, showcasing a significant earning potential as one advances in their career.
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.
