Best cities for a chemist
The best cities for chemists are Detroit, MI, Cincinnati, OH, and Garland, TX, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for chemists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for chemists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a chemist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for chemists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for chemists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a chemist. While the absolute best city for chemists is Detroit, MI, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for chemists in 2024.
If you're looking for a chemist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for chemists in 2025
1. Detroit, MI
Chemist jobs in DetroitTotal chemist jobs: 82 Average annual salary: $63,794 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 13.35 2. Cincinnati, OH
Chemist jobs in CincinnatiTotal chemist jobs: 38 Average annual salary: $61,775 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 6.05 3. Garland, TX
Total chemist jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $63,276 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 13.02 4. Cleveland, OH
Chemist jobs in ClevelandTotal chemist jobs: 26 Average annual salary: $64,390 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 5.63 5. Arlington, TX
Total chemist jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $63,409 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 5.73 6. Corpus Christi, TX
Total chemist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $63,019 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 7.53 7. Houston, TX
Chemist jobs in HoustonTotal chemist jobs: 150 Average annual salary: $63,179 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 4.59 8. Newark, NJ
Chemist jobs in NewarkTotal chemist jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $74,055 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 4.14 9. Columbus, OH
Chemist jobs in ColumbusTotal chemist jobs: 35 Average annual salary: $63,088 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $90,000 Location quotient: 2.70 10. Wichita, KS
Total chemist jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $60,918 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 3.64
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Best cities for chemists
- Detroit, MI
- Cincinnati, OH
- Garland, TX
- Cleveland, OH
- Arlington, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Houston, TX
- Newark, NJ
- Columbus, OH
- Wichita, KS
- (82 chemist jobs)
- (38 chemist jobs)
- (7 chemist jobs)
- (26 chemist jobs)
- (8 chemist jobs)
- (5 chemist jobs)
- (150 chemist jobs)
- (14 chemist jobs)
- (35 chemist jobs)
- (9 chemist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a chemist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $63,794 | $44,000 | 672,795 | 82 |
| 2 | Cincinnati, OH | $61,775 | $42,000 | 298,800 | 38 |
| 3 | Garland, TX | $63,276 | $42,000 | 234,943 | 7 |
| 4 | Cleveland, OH | $64,390 | $44,000 | 385,809 | 26 |
| 5 | Arlington, TX | $63,409 | $42,000 | 392,772 | 8 |
| 6 | Corpus Christi, TX | $63,019 | $42,000 | 325,733 | 5 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $63,179 | $42,000 | 2,303,482 | 150 |
| 8 | Newark, NJ | $74,055 | $52,000 | 281,764 | 14 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $63,088 | $43,000 | 860,090 | 35 |
| 10 | Wichita, KS | $60,918 | $42,000 | 389,902 | 9 |
| 11 | Indianapolis, IN | $60,203 | $41,000 | 855,164 | 52 |
| 12 | Baltimore, MD | $75,468 | $52,000 | 614,664 | 48 |
| 13 | Brookhaven, NY | $64,753 | $45,000 | 486,040 | 6 |
| 14 | Fort Worth, TX | $63,445 | $42,000 | 854,113 | 8 |
| 15 | Madison, WI | $59,054 | $41,000 | 252,551 | 24 |
| 16 | Saint Paul, MN | $64,765 | $45,000 | 302,398 | 17 |
| 17 | Albuquerque, NM | $62,440 | $42,000 | 559,277 | 7 |
| 18 | Memphis, TN | $65,544 | $45,000 | 652,717 | 5 |
| 19 | Irving, TX | $63,356 | $42,000 | 238,289 | 15 |
| 20 | Boston, MA | $81,233 | $58,000 | 673,184 | 15 |
| 21 | Austin, TX | $63,559 | $42,000 | 947,890 | 13 |
| 22 | Dallas, TX | $63,340 | $42,000 | 1,317,929 | 21 |
| 23 | Atlanta, GA | $62,314 | $42,000 | 472,522 | 43 |
| 24 | Fremont, CA | $65,335 | $42,000 | 233,136 | 39 |
| 25 | Nashville, TN | $66,669 | $45,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 26 | San Antonio, TX | $63,522 | $42,000 | 1,492,510 | 5 |
| 27 | Milwaukee, WI | $59,662 | $41,000 | 595,047 | 13 |
| 28 | Fort Wayne, IN | $61,489 | $42,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 29 | Saint Louis, MO | $54,891 | $38,000 | 311,404 | 45 |
| 30 | Oklahoma City, OK | $56,771 | $39,000 | 638,367 | 16 |
| 31 | Norfolk, VA | $79,831 | $54,000 | 245,115 | 1 |
| 32 | Seattle, WA | $79,695 | $51,000 | 704,352 | 10 |
| 33 | Philadelphia, PA | $57,704 | $40,000 | 1,567,872 | 25 |
| 34 | Reno, NV | $56,755 | $37,000 | 245,255 | 7 |
| 35 | Plano, TX | $63,266 | $42,000 | 286,057 | 6 |
| 36 | Omaha, NE | $55,287 | $38,000 | 446,970 | 15 |
| 37 | Washington, DC | $82,804 | $57,000 | 681,170 | 20 |
| 38 | Toledo, OH | $63,721 | $44,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 39 | New Orleans, LA | $66,775 | $44,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 40 | Buffalo, NY | $63,056 | $44,000 | 256,902 | 13 |
| 41 | Virginia Beach, VA | $79,915 | $55,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 42 | Chesapeake, VA | $79,588 | $54,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 43 | Louisville, KY | $55,626 | $38,000 | 597,337 | 8 |
| 44 | El Paso, TX | $64,743 | $44,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 45 | Minneapolis, MN | $64,704 | $45,000 | 413,651 | 15 |
| 46 | Winston-Salem, NC | $50,856 | $34,000 | 242,203 | 13 |
| 47 | Laredo, TX | $63,202 | $42,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 48 | Anaheim, CA | $59,624 | $40,000 | 351,043 | 16 |
| 49 | Santa Ana, CA | $59,596 | $40,000 | 334,217 | 17 |
| 50 | Greensboro, NC | $50,989 | $34,000 | 287,027 | 16 |
Highest paying cities for chemists
| Rank | City | Avg. chemist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington, DE | $91,315 |
| 2 | Cambridge, MA | $81,188 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $75,468 |
| 4 | Edison, NJ | $73,927 |
| 5 | Fairfield, CA | $65,822 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $64,440 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $63,794 |
| 8 | The Woodlands, TX | $63,255 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $63,088 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $62,314 |
| 11 | Indianapolis, IN | $60,203 |
| 12 | Levittown, PA | $57,843 |
| 13 | North Chicago, IL | $56,521 |
| 14 | Saint Louis, MO | $54,891 |
| 15 | Salt Lake City, UT | $53,219 |
| 16 | Tallahassee, FL | $44,973 |
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Updated January 8, 2025