Chemist Salary in Denver, CO
Chemists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $102,390 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,065 take-home, or $6,422 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,696
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,348
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,485
- Colorado income tax$3,797
- Take-home pay$77,065
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Chemist pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,120 | $30.83 | $51,588 | $4,299 |
| 25th percentile | $80,180 | $38.55 | $62,417 | $5,201 |
| Median (50th) | $102,390 | $49.23 | $77,065 | $6,422 |
| 75th percentile | $133,600 | $64.23 | $97,412 | $8,118 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,250 | $82.33 | $121,489 | $10,124 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,390 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $77,065 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,852 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 Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #11 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 |
| 11 | Denver, CO | $102,390 | $77,065 | $72,852 |
*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
- Boulder, CO — $105,590
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Denver, CO?
The median chemist salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $102,390 a year, or about $49.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,180 and $133,600.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $102,390 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $77,065 a year ($6,422 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,797 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,852 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #11 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 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 Denver, CO
- School Psychologist — $129,340
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — $120,480
- Urban and Regional Planner — $105,890
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $102,120
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $95,780
- Biological Technician — $65,140
- Chemical Technician — $59,800