Chemist Salary in Boston, MA
Chemists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $127,290 a year — 40% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $92,124 take-home, or $7,677 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,284
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,892
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,846
- Massachusetts income tax$6,145
- Take-home pay$92,124
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chemist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,120 | $34.19 | $55,527 | $4,627 |
| 25th percentile | $86,330 | $41.50 | $65,467 | $5,456 |
| Median (50th) | $127,290 | $61.20 | $92,124 | $7,677 |
| 75th percentile | $164,790 | $79.23 | $115,880 | $9,657 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,220 | $102.03 | $147,536 | $12,295 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $127,290 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $92,124 take-home pay has the buying power of $85,091 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 2.1× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #2 of 7 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $144,680 | $100,825 | $92,599 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $127,290 | $92,124 | $85,091 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $106,740 | $83,922 | $85,088 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $95,440 | $73,042 | $71,223 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $90,920 | $68,436 | $66,062 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $85,150 | $64,732 | $57,507 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $87,060 | $65,078 | $57,304 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 7 metros →
About the job: chemists
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Boston, MA?
The median chemist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $127,290 a year, or about $61.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $86,330 and $164,790.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $127,290 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $92,124 a year ($7,677 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,145 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 40% above the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $85,091 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #2 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Biochemist and Biophysicist — $131,550
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $129,500
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $110,410
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $105,960
- School Psychologist — $98,670
- Biological Technician — $61,610