Chemist Salary in Boulder, CO
Chemists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $105,590 a year — 16% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $79,175 take-home, or $6,598 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,400
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,547
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,531
- Colorado income tax$3,938
- Take-home pay$79,175
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Chemist pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,260 | $29.45 | $49,415 | $4,118 |
| 25th percentile | $84,240 | $40.50 | $65,095 | $5,425 |
| Median (50th) | $105,590 | $50.76 | $79,175 | $6,598 |
| 75th percentile | $136,940 | $65.84 | $99,548 | $8,296 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,280 | $79.46 | $117,671 | $9,806 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $105,590 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $79,175 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,260 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 4.8× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #8 of 35 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 | Baltimore, MD | $118,880 | $87,148 | $83,406 |
| 5 | Cincinnati, OH | $96,170 | $74,623 | $78,246 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $127,790 | $89,294 | $77,236 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $94,170 | $73,271 | $76,749 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $105,590 | $79,175 | $75,260 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 35 metros →
Chemist salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Denver, CO — $102,390
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Boulder, CO?
The median chemist salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $105,590 a year, or about $50.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $84,240 and $136,940.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $105,590 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $79,175 a year ($6,598 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,938 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 16% above the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,260 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #8 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist — $121,870
- Physicist — $104,580
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $65,260