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As of October 2025, the average salary for a Junior Chemist in the United States is $64,002 per year. This salary can fluctuate based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific sector within the chemical industry. For instance, Junior Chemists in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries due to the demand for their expertise.
In addition to geographic variations, experience plays a significant role in salary potential. Entry-level Junior Chemists may start at lower salaries, while those with a few years of experience can see significant increases. For example, a Junior Chemist with three to five years of experience may earn approximately $70,000 or more annually. The field is diverse, with opportunities available in pharmaceuticals, environmental testing, and manufacturing.
The demand for Junior Chemists is projected to grow, driven by advancements in technology and a focus on sustainability. This growth means more job opportunities and potential for salary increases. As you consider a career as a Junior Chemist, it's beneficial to stay informed about industry trends and salary benchmarks to maximize your earning potential.
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The highest-paying states for junior chemists are Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland. The lowest average junior chemist salary states are North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | $89,922 | $43.23 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| 4 | Maryland | $73,848 | $35.50 |
| 5 | Virginia | $71,189 | $34.23 |
| 6 | Washington | $64,954 | $31.23 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $67,911 | $32.65 |
| 8 | New York | $67,599 | $32.50 |
| 9 | Ohio | $63,738 | $30.64 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $65,524 | $31.50 |
| 11 | New Mexico | $60,889 | $29.27 |
| 12 | California | $63,189 | $30.38 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $60,477 | $29.08 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | $66,513 | $31.98 |
| 15 | Michigan | $61,455 | $29.55 |
| 16 | Indiana | $59,508 | $28.61 |
| 17 | Missouri | $59,807 | $28.75 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $64,671 | $31.09 |
| 19 | Utah | $56,693 | $27.26 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $59,871 | $28.78 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $55,775 | $26.81 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $58,495 | $28.12 |
| 23 | Vermont | $57,548 | $27.67 |
| 24 | South Carolina | $58,869 | $28.30 |
| 25 | Iowa | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| 26 | Nevada | $57,009 | $27.41 |
| 27 | Texas | $54,379 | $26.14 |
| 28 | Illinois | $52,492 | $25.24 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | $51,273 | $24.65 |
| 30 | Arizona | $55,715 | $26.79 |
| 31 | Alabama | $51,232 | $24.63 |
| 32 | Kansas | $53,037 | $25.50 |
| 33 | Idaho | $51,159 | $24.60 |
| 34 | Georgia | $54,391 | $26.15 |
| 35 | Oregon | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $47,309 | $22.74 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| 38 | Colorado | $51,066 | $24.55 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $53,325 | $25.64 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $52,998 | $25.48 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $51,804 | $24.91 |
| 42 | North Dakota | $44,391 | $21.34 |
| 43 | Montana | $49,202 | $23.65 |
| 44 | Minnesota | $47,713 | $22.94 |
| 45 | Alaska | $45,667 | $21.96 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $46,252 | $22.24 |
| 47 | Maine | $36,629 | $17.61 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $37,531 | $18.04 |
| 49 | Nebraska | $43,033 | $20.69 |
| 50 | Florida | $37,481 | $18.02 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $35,892 | $17.26 |
The highest-paying cities for junior chemists are East Windsor, NJ, Fairfield, CA, and Wakefield, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Windsor, NJ | $74,987 | $36.05 |
| 2 | Fairfield, CA | $71,085 | $34.18 |
| 3 | Wakefield, MA | $58,268 | $28.01 |
| 4 | Bensalem, PA | $56,659 | $27.24 |
| 5 | Huntsville, AL | $51,444 | $24.73 |
| 6 | Corvallis, OR | $50,430 | $24.25 |
A junior chemist's salary ranges from $36,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $110,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $110,000 | $9,167 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,000 | $7,083 | $41 |
| Average | $64,002 | $5,334 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
The highest paying types of junior chemists are senior chemist, research and development chemist, and research chemist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Laboratory Technician | $38,308 | $3,192 | $18.42 | 86,476 |
| Laboratory Internship | $35,305 | $2,942 | $16.97 | 90,970 |
| Chemical Technician | $42,584 | $3,549 | $20.47 | 40,191 |
| Laboratory Analyst | $44,024 | $3,669 | $21.17 | 44,074 |
| Quality Control | $32,824 | $2,735 | $15.78 | 83,496 |
| Microbiologist | $54,620 | $4,552 | $26.26 | 11,444 |
Top companies hiring junior chemists now:
Junior chemist salaries at APTIM and BioPharm Communications are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average junior chemist salary at companies like SGS and Kelly Services are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | APTIM | $64,495 | $31.01 |
| 2 | BioPharm Communications | $62,086 | $29.85 |
| 3 | SGS | $61,211 | $29.43 |
| 4 | Kelly Services | $55,831 | $26.84 |
| 5 | Masco | $44,166 | $21.23 |
The average junior chemist salary has risen by $7,699 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average junior chemist earned $56,303 annually, but today, they earn $64,002 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for junior chemists over the last decade.
Compare junior chemist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare junior chemist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64,000 | $30.77 | +2.1% |
| 2025 | $62,700 | $30.12 | +1.0% |
| 2024 | $62,100 | $29.84 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $60,300 | $29.00 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $59,500 | $28.61 | +3.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammega | Junior Chemist | Beacon, NY | 06/19/2025 | $60,000 |
| Midwest Industrial Rubber Inc. | Junior Chemist | Beacon, NY | 06/18/2025 | $60,000 |
| Global | JR. Chemist | Beachwood, OH | 06/10/2025 | $52,960 |
| Global | JR. Chemist | Beachwood, OH | 04/28/2025 | $52,960 |
| Kelly Services | JR Chemist | Teterboro, NJ | 04/22/2025 | $45,914 |
| Global | JR. Chemist | Beachwood, OH | 03/26/2025 | $52,960 |
| Actalent | JR Chemist, Analytical | Clifton, NJ | 03/21/2025 | $50,088 |
| Atrium Staffing | Junior Chemist | Norwalk, CA | 02/24/2025 | $41,740 |
| Masco | JR Chemist | Santa Ana, CA | 01/26/2025 | $53,100 |
| Tcwglobal | JR Manufacturing Chemist (Manufacturing/Biological/Life Sciences) | Irvine, CA | 01/24/2025 | $64,697 |
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