Chemist Salary in Washington, DC
Chemists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $144,680 a year — 59% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $100,825 take-home, or $8,402 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$23,457
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,970
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,098
- District of Columbia income tax$9,329
- Take-home pay$100,825
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,780 | $39.80 | $62,998 | $5,250 |
| 25th percentile | $111,530 | $53.62 | $80,780 | $6,732 |
| Median (50th) | $144,680 | $69.56 | $100,825 | $8,402 |
| 75th percentile | $176,340 | $84.78 | $119,774 | $9,981 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $144,680 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $100,825 take-home pay has the buying power of $92,599 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.5× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 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 Washington, DC?
The median chemist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $144,680 a year, or about $69.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $111,530 and $176,340.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $144,680 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $100,825 a year ($8,402 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,329 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 59% above the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $92,599 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physical Scientists, All Other — $170,980
- Economist — $156,750
- Political Scientist — $156,730
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $108,160
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $107,110