Chemist Salary in Charlotte, NC
Chemists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $88,890 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $68,326 take-home, or $5,694 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,726
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,511
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,289
- North Carolina income tax$3,038
- Take-home pay$68,326
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Chemist pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,120 | $27.94 | $47,069 | $3,922 |
| 25th percentile | $69,990 | $33.65 | $55,784 | $4,649 |
| Median (50th) | $88,890 | $42.74 | $68,326 | $5,694 |
| 75th percentile | $111,790 | $53.75 | $83,523 | $6,960 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,850 | $63.87 | $97,277 | $8,106 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $88,890 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $68,326 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,188 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chemist jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #13 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 |
| 13 | Charlotte, NC | $88,890 | $68,326 | $70,188 |
*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 North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $84,150
- Durham, NC — $81,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Charlotte, NC?
The median chemist salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $88,890 a year, or about $42.74 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $69,990 and $111,790.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $88,890 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $68,326 a year ($5,694 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,038 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,188 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #13 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $117,170
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $97,440
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $91,160
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $72,730
- Chemical Technician — $61,730