Chemist Salary in Raleigh, NC
Chemists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $84,150 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,181 take-home, or $5,432 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,683
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,217
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,220
- North Carolina income tax$2,849
- Take-home pay$65,181
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Chemist pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,700 | $29.18 | $49,039 | $4,087 |
| 25th percentile | $66,290 | $31.87 | $53,308 | $4,442 |
| Median (50th) | $84,150 | $40.46 | $65,181 | $5,432 |
| 75th percentile | $106,570 | $51.24 | $80,059 | $6,672 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,980 | $63.45 | $96,717 | $8,060 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,150 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $65,181 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,404 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.9× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #18 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 |
| 18 | Raleigh, NC | $84,150 | $65,181 | $66,404 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $88,890
- Durham, NC — $81,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Raleigh, NC?
The median chemist salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $84,150 a year, or about $40.46 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $66,290 and $106,570.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $84,150 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $65,181 a year ($5,432 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,849 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,404 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #18 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $104,500
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $102,400
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $96,560
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $90,490
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $81,400
- Social Science Research Assistant — $65,330