Chemist Salary in Rhode Island
Based on 150+ workers in Rhode Island
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (RI)
$101,660
$48.88/hr
vs National Average
$92,010
+10.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$70K – $147K
150 employed in Rhode Island
Salary Distribution — Chemist in Rhode Island
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $70,210 |
| 25th percentile | $85,610 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $101,660 |
| 75th percentile | $124,750 |
| 90th percentile | $146,830 |
Top-Paying Industries for Chemist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Chemists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Chemists in Rhode Island tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $123,380 | 610 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $112,840 | 3K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $109,990 | 190 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $107,330 | 10K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $96,840 | 160 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Chemist in Rhode Island vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Rhode Island) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $80,640 |
| 2023 | $91,280 |
| 2024 | $97,300 |
| 2025 | $101,660 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,215 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Rhode Island Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $80,640 | $79,362 |
| 2023 | $91,280 | $83,812 |
| 2024 | $97,300 | $86,969 |
| 2025 | $101,660 | $92,010 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,215 | $96,133 |
Chemist Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $85,610 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $101,660 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $124,750 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $146,830 |
Chemist Salary in Other States
Related Chemist Salaries in Rhode Island
How other high-demand occupations in Rhode Island compare to Chemist ($101,660 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in RI | $155,150 | +52.6% | $74.59/hr |
| Geoscientist in RI | $121,010 | +19.0% | $58.18/hr |
| Psychologist in RI | $107,490 | +5.7% | $51.68/hr |
| Medical Scientist in RI | $103,370 | +1.7% | $49.70/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in RI | $100,730 | -0.9% | $48.43/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in RI | $90,210 | -11.3% | $43.37/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in RI | $76,710 | -24.5% | $36.88/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in RI | $101,140 | -0.5% | $48.63/hr |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer in RI | $101,140 | -0.5% | $48.63/hr |
| Software Engineer in RI | $102,210 | +0.5% | $49.14/hr |
| Data Scientist in RI | $102,440 | +0.8% | $49.25/hr |
| Statistician in RI | $102,620 | +0.9% | $49.34/hr |