Find Grad Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Chemists in Pennsylvania

Chemists in Pennsylvania

Want to work as a Chemists in Pennsylvania? Here’s what the data says. Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge. Excludes “Biochemists and Biophysicists” (19-1021) and “Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers” (19-2042).

What do Chemists Make in Pennsylvania?

The chemists working in Pennsylvania, wages run about $63,450 per year (or about $30.51/hour).Pay can range from $47,180 at the 10th percentile to $128,480 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $47,180 $22.68
25th percentile $57,770 $27.78
Median (50th) $63,450 $30.51
75th percentile $84,240 $40.50
90th percentile $128,480 $61.77
Salary ranges for Chemists in Pennsylvania

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Pennsylvania nationwide is 2.79, indicating that chemists are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, chemists earn a median of $59,779 per year ($28.74/hour), exceeding the Pennsylvania median.

Chemists earnings in Pennsylvania vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 88,892 chemists in the U.S.. In Pennsylvania alone, about 9,070 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 750 chemists.

Chemists in Pennsylvania vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Chemists

Top Pennsylvania Metros for Chemists

These are the Pennsylvania metros with the most chemists in Pennsylvania.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5,690 $76,620
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 460 $73,570
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 180 $64,580
York-Hanover, PA 120 $81,490
Reading, PA 100 $75,230
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA 90 $79,950
Lebanon, PA 80 $75,390
State College, PA 60 $102,050

Top States for Chemists Employment

These states have the highest employment of chemists work.

State Number Employed
Pennsylvania 9,070
California 8,480
New Jersey 6,210
Texas 5,490
North Carolina 5,140
New York 4,040
Ohio 4,020
Massachusetts 3,340
Illinois 3,250
Michigan 3,200
Maryland 3,000
Indiana 2,070
Wisconsin 1,990
Colorado 1,820
Washington 1,780
Missouri 1,750
Florida 1,660
Virginia 1,340
Minnesota 1,320
Delaware 1,180

Highest-Paying States for Chemists

Where chemists earn the most: chemists.

State Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia $153,320
New Mexico $134,370
Maryland $131,910
Massachusetts $126,970
Delaware $125,430
Louisiana $109,150
West Virginia $108,010
Texas $101,260
Virginia $99,810
Colorado $97,380

Skills

Key chemists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Science  4.1 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.8 / 5
0
5
Writing  3.8 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Chemistry  4.9 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.0 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.8 / 5
0
5
Production and Processing  3.5 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.4 / 5
0
5
Administration and Management  3.4 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for chemists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
  • Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
  • Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
  • Conduct quality control tests.
  • Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
  • Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
  • Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
  • Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
  • Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
  • Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.
  • Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.
  • Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date.

Work Activities

  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Processing Information
  • Working with Computers
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: C, C++ In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Chemistry
  • Materials Sciences
  • Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Other careers like chemists include:

Also Known As

Agricultural Chemist, Air Quality Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Analytical Scientist, Assay Development Scientist, Astrochemist, Bench Chemist, Bench Scientist, Ceramic Chemist, Cereal Chemist, Chemical Analyst, Chemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist), Chemist, Chemistry Scientist, Coal Chemist.

References

Find Graduate Schools Near You

Our school finder matches students with accredited graduate schools across the U.S. for free.