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Chemistry instructor salary
Average chemistry instructor salary
$63,631
Understanding Chemistry Instructor Salaries
The average salary for a Chemistry Instructor stands at $63,631 per year, approximately $31 per hour. Salaries can vary based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the type of institution. For instance, instructors in urban areas or prestigious universities often earn more than those in rural settings.
In addition to base pay, many institutions offer benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities, which can enhance overall compensation. In states like California and New York, the demand for qualified instructors drives salaries higher, making these locations attractive for job seekers.
To maximize earning potential, aspiring Chemistry Instructors should consider obtaining advanced degrees or certifications, which can lead to higher-paying positions. Continuous professional development through workshops and conferences can also bolster career advancement. If you’re exploring a career as a Chemistry Instructor, researching various schools and their pay scales can provide valuable insights into the best opportunities available.
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Where can a Chemistry Instructor earn more?
Chemistry instructor salary estimates from across the web
Average chemistry instructor salary by state
The average chemistry instructor salary in California, Mississippi, and Utah are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average chemistry instructor salary states are Indiana, Georgia, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for chemistry instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $99,403 | $47.79 |
| 2 | Mississippi | $72,608 | $34.91 |
| 3 | Nevada | $69,543 | $33.43 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $70,750 | $34.01 |
| 5 | Utah | $72,534 | $34.87 |
| 6 | Texas | $69,192 | $33.27 |
| 7 | Oregon | $68,898 | $33.12 |
| 8 | New York | $70,752 | $34.02 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $68,687 | $33.02 |
| 10 | Alaska | $67,056 | $32.24 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| 12 | Iowa | $63,036 | $30.31 |
| 13 | Maryland | $69,208 | $33.27 |
| 14 | Vermont | $64,178 | $30.85 |
| 15 | Louisiana | $64,252 | $30.89 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $69,081 | $33.21 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $69,234 | $33.29 |
| 18 | Tennessee | $60,687 | $29.18 |
| 19 | Virginia | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| 20 | Kansas | $63,089 | $30.33 |
| 21 | North Carolina | $59,385 | $28.55 |
| 22 | Colorado | $59,734 | $28.72 |
| 23 | Idaho | $62,666 | $30.13 |
| 24 | Delaware | $62,271 | $29.94 |
| 25 | Rhode Island | $61,304 | $29.47 |
| 26 | Illinois | $62,756 | $30.17 |
| 27 | Arizona | $61,329 | $29.49 |
| 28 | Hawaii | $57,047 | $27.43 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $61,017 | $29.34 |
| 30 | Ohio | $58,466 | $28.11 |
| 31 | Florida | $60,728 | $29.20 |
| 32 | Washington | $65,537 | $31.51 |
| 33 | Maine | $60,673 | $29.17 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $58,296 | $28.03 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $57,297 | $27.55 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $57,438 | $27.61 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $57,137 | $27.47 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | $59,328 | $28.52 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $54,433 | $26.17 |
| 40 | Michigan | $53,285 | $25.62 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $49,917 | $24.00 |
| 42 | Georgia | $50,645 | $24.35 |
| 43 | Montana | $49,765 | $23.93 |
| 44 | Wyoming | $47,046 | $22.62 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $61,596 | $29.61 |
| 46 | Alabama | $54,939 | $26.41 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $52,567 | $25.27 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $48,817 | $23.47 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $52,414 | $25.20 |
| 50 | Missouri | $52,078 | $25.04 |
| 51 | Indiana | $51,113 | $24.57 |
Highest paying cities for chemistry instructors
The highest-paying cities for chemistry instructors are Oakland, CA, Reno, NV, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $105,927 | $50.93 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $72,284 | $34.75 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $71,024 | $34.15 |
| 4 | Bismarck, ND | $69,333 | $33.33 |
| 5 | Beaumont, TX | $69,217 | $33.28 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $68,938 | $33.14 |
| 7 | Lafayette, LA | $65,088 | $31.29 |
| 8 | Wenatchee, WA | $64,224 | $30.88 |
| 9 | Garden City, KS | $63,815 | $30.68 |
| 10 | Moline, IL | $62,596 | $30.09 |
| 11 | Fort Myers, FL | $61,802 | $29.71 |
| 12 | Coon Rapids, MN | $60,998 | $29.33 |
| 13 | Goldsboro, NC | $60,327 | $29.00 |
| 14 | Kearney, NE | $57,459 | $27.62 |
| 15 | Hot Springs, AR | $57,368 | $27.58 |
| 16 | Oklahoma City, OK | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| 17 | Terre Haute, IN | $51,014 | $24.53 |
| 18 | Statesboro, GA | $50,749 | $24.40 |
Chemistry instructor salary details
A chemistry instructor's salary ranges from $38,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $105,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a chemistry instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $105,000 | $8,750 | $50 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,000 | $6,917 | $40 |
| Average | $63,631 | $5,303 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
Highest paying chemistry instructor jobs
The highest paying types of chemistry instructors are sciences dean, analytical chemistry teacher, and adjunct professor of chemistry.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Department Chairperson | $64,017 | $5,335 | $30.78 | 29,747 |
| Instructor | $53,426 | $4,452 | $25.69 | 39,273 |
| Mathematics Instructor | $51,311 | $4,276 | $24.67 | 39,866 |
| Chemistry Tutor | $29,280 | $2,440 | $14.08 | 16,537 |
| Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct | $66,675 | $5,556 | $32.06 | 35,641 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for chemistry instructors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Karina Skvirsky
Associate Professor, Lafayette College
Top companies hiring chemistry instructors now:
Which companies pay chemistry instructors the most?
Chemistry instructor salaries at Kern Community College District and American Chemical Society are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average chemistry instructor salary at companies like USD 210 and Research Foundation of The City University of New York are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern Community College District | $109,155 | $52.48 |
| 2 | American Chemical Society | $82,912 | $39.86 |
| 3 | USD 210 | $70,824 | $34.05 |
| 4 | Research Foundation of The City University of New York | $69,665 | $33.49 |
| 5 | PSEA | $68,682 | $33.02 |
| 6 | Truckee Meadows Community College | $65,476 | $31.48 |
| 7 | University of Virginia | $64,892 | $31.20 |
| 8 | Minnesota State Colleges and Universities | $63,924 | $30.73 |
| 9 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | $63,422 | $30.49 |
| 10 | University of Nebraska System | $63,421 | $30.49 |
| 11 | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $63,416 | $30.49 |
| 12 | VVC Rams Bookstore | $62,153 | $29.88 |
| 13 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | $60,783 | $29.22 |
| 14 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | $60,684 | $29.18 |
| 15 | Walla Walla Community College | $59,851 | $28.77 |
| 16 | Oklahoma Baptist University | $59,793 | $28.75 |
| 17 | College of Lake County | $59,628 | $28.67 |
| 18 | Entergy | $59,481 | $28.60 |
| 19 | University of Mary | $59,247 | $28.48 |
| 20 | Wayne Community College | $58,734 | $28.24 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Chemistry instructor salary trends
The average chemistry instructor salary has risen by $7,471 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average chemistry instructor earned $56,160 annually, but today, they earn $63,631 a year. That works out to a 5% change in pay for chemistry instructors over the last decade.
Compare chemistry instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average chemistry instructor salary over time
Compare chemistry instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Chemistry instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $63,600 | $30.59 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | $63,000 | $30.27 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | $63,000 | $30.27 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $61,100 | $29.37 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | $60,700 | $29.20 | +2.2% |
Recently added chemistry instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Princeton Review | Mcat General Chemistry Instructor-Institutional | New York, NY | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Visiting Instructor-Chemistry & Geochemistry-Remote | WFH | Butte-Silver Bow, MT | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | Permanent Chemistry Instructor (Position With Possible Summer Employment) | Jacksonville, NC | 06/22/2025 | $64,848 |
| The Princeton Review | Mcat Organic Chemistry Instructor-Institutional | Berkeley, CA | 06/21/2025 | $52,175 |
| Chaffey College | Instructor, Chemistry (One-Year Temporary) | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 06/12/2025 | $79,291 |
| Passaic County Technical Institute | Chemistry Instructor-Anticipated | Wayne, NJ | 06/05/2025 | $70,530 |
| Vocational Schools | Chemistry Instructor-Anticipated | Downe, NJ | 06/04/2025 | $70,530 |
| Passaic County Technical-Vocational Schools | Chemistry Instructor-Anticipated | Wayne, NJ | 06/04/2025 | $70,530 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Chemistry Instructor | Davenport, IA | 05/31/2025 | $51,618 |
| Little Priest Tribal College | Chemistry Instructor | Winnebago, NE | 05/28/2025 | $65,000 |
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