Virginia ranks 9th of 51 states and D.C. for chemists pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($153,320) by $53,510 — a 54% gap.
Chemists are less concentrated in Virginia than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.61 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.64× below the national share.
Virginia employs roughly 1.6% of all chemists in the country (1,340 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| 25th percentile | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $99,810 | $47.99 |
| 75th percentile | $132,510 | $63.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,330 | $76.60 |
| Mean (average) | $104,720 | $50.34 |
How Virginia Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (current) | $99,810 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $153,320 | +54% |
| New Mexico | $134,370 | +35% |
| Maryland | $131,910 | +32% |
| Massachusetts | $126,970 | +27% |
| Delaware | $125,430 | +26% |
| Louisiana | $109,150 | +9% |
| West Virginia | $108,010 | +8% |
| Texas | $101,260 | +1% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Virginia
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineers | $99,990 | 5,240 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $99,990 | 5,560 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $99,350 | 7,960 |
| Occupational Therapists | $100,540 | 3,670 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $98,940 | 3,190 |
| Physical Therapists | $100,710 | 6,700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chemists salary in Virginia?
The mean chemists salary in Virginia is $104,720 per year. The median (middle) salary is $99,810 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chemists in Virginia?
Entry-level chemistss (10th percentile) in Virginia typically earn around $57,780 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $73,570 per year.
What is the highest Chemists salary in Virginia?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Virginia make approximately $159,330 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $132,510 per year.
How does the Virginia Chemists salary compare to the national average?
The median chemists salary in Virginia is $99,810, which is +19% above national average of $84,150.