Chemist Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Chemists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $78,060 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,002 take-home, or $5,167 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,343
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,840
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,132
- Arizona income tax$1,743
- Take-home pay$62,002
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Chemist pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,710 | $24.38 | $41,866 | $3,489 |
| 25th percentile | $61,610 | $29.62 | $50,352 | $4,196 |
| Median (50th) | $78,060 | $37.53 | $62,002 | $5,167 |
| 75th percentile | $106,340 | $51.13 | $81,190 | $6,766 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,250 | $66.95 | $103,171 | $8,598 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,060 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $62,002 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,012 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 less concentrated in Phoenix, AZ than nationally (location quotient 0.45), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #32 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 |
| 32 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,060 | $62,002 | $60,012 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 35 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median chemist salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $78,060 a year, or about $37.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,610 and $106,340.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $78,060 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $62,002 a year ($5,167 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,743 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,012 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #32 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
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- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $108,390
- Urban and Regional Planner — $107,470
- School Psychologist — $93,640
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $89,480
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $80,600
- Forensic Science Technician — $65,220
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