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Average Chemists Salary in Pennsylvania

Chemists in Pennsylvania earn an average annual salary of $76,790, which is notably below the national average of $94,000. This disparity can be attributed to a combination of factors including the state's specific industry demands, the concentration of chemical companies, and the overall economic landscape within Pennsylvania.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $76,790 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.4% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $128,480.
  • Outlook: Pennsylvania boasts a robust job market for chemists, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 9,070 professionals. The location quotient of 2.79 indicates a significantly higher concentration of chemists in Pennsylvania compared to the national average, suggesting strong and sustained demand for their expertise within the state.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$76,790

The average Chemists in Pennsylvania earns-18.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$36.9

Weekly

$1,477

Monthly

$6,399

Chemists Salary Distribution in Pennsylvania

The salary progression for chemists in Pennsylvania typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start in the lower percentiles, while senior chemists with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries in the upper percentiles. These percentile gaps highlight clear career advancement opportunities and the value placed on accumulated expertise within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$47,180$22.7
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$57,593$27.7
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$63,450$30.5
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$95,988$46.1
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$128,480$61.8

Detailed Chemists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$76,790

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$77,566

Adjusted for COL (99)

The nominal average salary of $76,790 for chemists in Pennsylvania aligns closely with the national average cost of living, which is indexed at 99. This suggests that the purchasing power of a chemist's salary in Pennsylvania is quite comparable to the national standard, making it a relatively stable financial environment for professionals in this field.

Job Market Context

9,070

Total Jobs

1.507

Per 1K Jobs

2.79

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Pennsylvania has 2.8x the national concentration of Chemists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a location quotient of 2.79, Pennsylvania exhibits a highly concentrated market for chemists, indicating that the state is a significant hub for this profession. This high concentration suggests a competitive yet abundant job market, where employers actively seek skilled chemists, and professionals have ample opportunities for employment and career development.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Chemists

CitySalaryDist.
State College, PA Chemists Salary$93,870↑ 22%45 mi
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Chemists Salary$70,810↓ 8%66 mi
Lebanon, PA Chemists Salary$76,260↓ 1%72 mi

Comparing salaries near Pennsylvania

Hiring Chemistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chemists make in Pennsylvania?

The median annual salary for a Chemists in Pennsylvania is $76,790. This typically ranges from $47,180 for entry-level positions to $128,480 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Pennsylvania is 18.3% lower than the national median of $94,000.

Is Pennsylvania a lucrative place for Chemists?

No, not compared to the national average.While chemists in Pennsylvania earn a respectable $76,790 annually, this figure falls short of the national average of $94,000. However, the cost of living is on par with the national average, making the salary's purchasing power relatively stable.

Is Pennsylvania a good place to live for Chemists?

With a Cost of Living Index of 99 (lower than the national average of 100), your salary goes further here.

Where are the highest paying cities near Pennsylvania?

Some top paying nearby cities include State College, PA ($93,870) and Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA.

What is the average salary for a chemist in Pennsylvania?

The average annual salary for a chemist in Pennsylvania is $76,790.

How does the Pennsylvania chemist salary compare to the national average?

The average chemist salary in Pennsylvania ($76,790) is lower than the national average of $94,000.

Is the job market for chemists strong in Pennsylvania?

Yes, the job market is strong, indicated by a high location quotient of 2.79 and a substantial local workforce of 9,070.

How does the cost of living in Pennsylvania affect a chemist's salary?

Pennsylvania's cost of living index is 99, which is very close to the national average. This means the $76,790 salary offers purchasing power comparable to the national average.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 9,070 employees in the Pennsylvania area with a job density of 1.507 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Chemists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Pennsylvania