Chemist Salary in Houston, TX
Chemists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $106,740 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $83,922 take-home, or $6,993 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,653
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,618
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,548
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$83,922
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chemist pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,370 | $30.47 | $53,098 | $4,425 |
| 25th percentile | $78,490 | $37.74 | $64,048 | $5,337 |
| Median (50th) | $106,740 | $51.32 | $83,922 | $6,993 |
| 75th percentile | $163,930 | $78.81 | $123,312 | $10,276 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,540 | $81.99 | $127,830 | $10,653 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $106,740 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $83,922 take-home pay has the buying power of $85,088 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houston, TX has 1.4× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #3 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 Houston, TX?
The median chemist salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $106,740 a year, or about $51.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,490 and $163,930.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $106,740 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $83,922 a year ($6,993 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $85,088 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #3 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.