Chemist Salary in Washington, DC
Chemists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $144,680 a year — 59% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $100,825 take-home, or $8,402 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$23,457
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,970
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,098
- District of Columbia income tax$9,329
- Take-home pay$100,825
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Chemist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,780 | $39.80 | $62,998 | $5,250 |
| 25th percentile | $111,530 | $53.62 | $80,780 | $6,732 |
| Median (50th) | $144,680 | $69.56 | $100,825 | $8,402 |
| 75th percentile | $176,340 | $84.78 | $119,774 | $9,981 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $144,680 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $100,825 take-home pay has the buying power of $92,599 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.5× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 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 →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Washington, DC?
The median chemist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $144,680 a year, or about $69.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $111,530 and $176,340.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $144,680 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $100,825 a year ($8,402 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,329 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 59% above the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $92,599 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physicist — $171,580
- Physical Scientists, All Other — $170,980
- Economist — $156,750
- Astronomer — $156,750
- Political Scientist — $156,730
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
- Psychologists, All Other — $129,730
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist — $117,600
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
- Microbiologist — $114,800
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $109,170
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $108,160