Chemists Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Chemists in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA make a median of $81,070 a year, or about $38.98 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $119K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $76,902 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 37.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About chemists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level chemists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $119K or more - a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Chemists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $153K | +82% | 250 |
| New Mexico | $134K | +60% | 210 |
| Maryland | $132K | +57% | 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $127K | +51% | 3,340 |
| Delaware | $125K | +49% | 1,180 |
| Louisiana | $109K | +30% | 630 |
| West Virginia | $108K | +28% | 270 |
| Texas | $101K | +20% | 5,490 |
| Virginia | $100K | +19% | 1,340 |
| Rhode Island | $97K | +16% | 120 |
| Illinois | $97K | +15% | 3,250 |
| California | $97K | +15% | 8,480 |
| Alabama | $96K | +14% | 630 |
| Alaska | $95K | +13% | 40 |
| Georgia | $95K | +13% | 1,080 |
Track chemists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemists make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $81,070 a year - that works out to about $38.98 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,020, and experienced chemists can clear $118,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,904/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 39.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chemists salary go in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (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 $76,902 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.