Chemical Technician Salary in Washington, DC
Chemical Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $57,880 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,371 take-home, or $3,864 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemical technician salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,766
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,589
- Medicare (1.45%)$839
- District of Columbia income tax$2,316
- Take-home pay$46,371
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% 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.
Chemical Technician pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,800 | $18.17 | $31,450 | $2,621 |
| 25th percentile | $45,650 | $21.95 | $37,287 | $3,107 |
| Median (50th) | $57,880 | $27.83 | $46,371 | $3,864 |
| 75th percentile | $69,620 | $33.47 | $54,729 | $4,561 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,190 | $43.84 | $68,200 | $5,683 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,880 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 chemical technician's $46,371 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,587 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chemical Technician jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.40), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for chemical technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #17 of 21 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $65,050 | $54,448 | $55,205 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $62,080 | $51,136 | $54,445 |
| 3 | Cincinnati, OH | $61,760 | $50,888 | $53,359 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $66,940 | $53,867 | $52,526 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $62,020 | $50,213 | $52,471 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $62,990 | $52,792 | $51,210 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $61,730 | $49,826 | $51,183 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $67,850 | $53,390 | $49,314 |
| 17 | Washington, DC | $57,880 | $46,371 | $42,587 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 21 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical technician make in Washington, DC?
The median chemical technician salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $57,880 a year, or about $27.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,650 and $69,620.
What is a chemical technician’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $57,880 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $46,371 a year ($3,864 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,316 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a chemical technician?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $60,390. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,587 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #17 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemical technician 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) — 51% of a median chemical technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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