Chemists Salary
Chemists in Oregon make a median of $104,590 a year, or about $50.28 an hour. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.44), that's roughly $102,099 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,555/month, or 24.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Oregon. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $105K get you in Oregon?
About chemists
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What this looks like in Oregon
Oregon sits well above the national pay line for chemists, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $91K. Rent runs $1,555/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.44) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Oregon
Entry-level chemists (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K. Top earners bring in $158K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Chemists salary by metro in Oregon
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene-Springfield | $102K | -2% | 70 |
| Bend | $98K | -7% | 50 |
| Corvallis | $95K | -9% | 80 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $95K | -9% | 430 |
Compare to other states
Track chemists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Oregon numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a chemist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Oregon?
Yes — at the median salary of $105K, rent takes 25.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,555/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for chemists in Oregon?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new chemists typically earn — is $70K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,219/month. At HUD’s $1,555/month FMR, rent would take 37% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is chemist a high-paying job in Oregon?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $105K here vs. $91K nationally.
How does Oregon compare to the national average for chemists?
Oregon pays $105K median vs. the U.S. average of $91K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.44), the purchasing-power equivalent is $102K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do chemists make in Oregon?
The median is $104,590 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,320, and experienced chemists can clear $157,700. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $105K enough to live in Oregon?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,112/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,555/month, which eats 25.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a chemists salary go in Oregon?
Oregon has a Regional Price Parity of 102.44 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemists salary is worth about $102,099 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.