How Much Does a Forensic Chemist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$91,240
Forensic chemists in the U.S. earn a median of $91,240 a year, or $43.87 an hour. Half of forensic chemists earn more than $91,240 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $160,830.
Pay percentiles for forensic chemists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28.11 | $58,460 |
| 25th | $33.39 | $69,460 |
| 50th (median) | $43.87 | $91,240 |
| 75th | $60.36 | $125,550 |
| 90th | $77.32 | $160,830 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Chemists (SOC 19-2031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for forensic chemists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 | $72.05 | +64% |
| Maryland | $140,670 | $67.63 | +54% |
| Delaware | $129,860 | $62.43 | +42% |
| New Mexico | $126,960 | $61.04 | +39% |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 | $60.09 | +37% |
| Alaska | $106,010 | $50.96 | +16% |
| Oregon | $104,590 | $50.28 | +15% |
| Louisiana | $103,890 | $49.95 | +14% |
| Wyoming | $102,000 | $49.04 | +12% |
| Colorado | $101,980 | $49.03 | +12% |
| United States | $91,240 | $43.87 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many forensic chemists are there?
BLS counts about 82,770 forensic chemists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Chemists”. The most jobs are in California (9,820), Pennsylvania (6,800) and New Jersey (5,280).
The mean (average) annual wage is $100,450, higher than the median of $91,240.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $7,603
- Biweekly
- $3,509
- Weekly
- $1,755
- Daily (8 hours)
- $351
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do forensic chemists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for forensic chemists is $43.87. The middle 50% earn between $33.39 and $60.36 an hour.
Which state pays forensic chemists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for forensic chemists at $149,860, +64% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for forensic chemists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of forensic chemists earn less than $58,460 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.