The median annual wage for chemists was $71,260 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $125,450.
The median annual wage for materials scientists was $91,000 in May 2015.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,740, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $149,310.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for chemists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Federal government, excluding postal service
$104,660
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
83,140
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
69,920
Basic chemical manufacturing
68,700
Testing laboratories
56,080
In May 2015, the median annual wages for materials scientists in the top industries in which they worked scientists were as follows:
Computer and electronic product manufacturing
$107,960
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
94,660
Basic chemical manufacturing
93,040
Architectural, engineering, and related services
80,730
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
51,020
Chemists and materials scientists typically work full time and keep regular hours.
Chemists and Materials Scientists
Median annual wages, May 2015
Materials scientists
$91,000
Physical scientists
$76,140
Chemists and materials scientists
$72,610
Chemists
$71,260
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics