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Occupation · SOC 19-2031

Chemists

There are 82,770 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $91,240 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
82,770
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$91,240
Median pay a year
Middle half: $69,460–$125,550
5,900
Annual openings
10-year change: +6.4%
2,192
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+18.9% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 215 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $85,150 · LCA filings 4786,750$85,150478
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $95,440 · LCA filings 1394,520$95,440139
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $87,060 · LCA filings 353,190$87,06035
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $127,290 · LCA filings 1542,960$127,290154
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $90,920 · LCA filings 772,630$90,92077
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $144,680 · LCA filings 182,490$144,68018
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $106,740 · LCA filings 572,430$106,74057
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $127,790 · LCA filings 1152,180$127,790115
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $99,280 · LCA filings 261,420$99,28026
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $95,160 · LCA filings 431,370$95,16043

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 2,490 · LCA filings 18$144,6802,49018
Bay City, MIEmployment 250 · LCA filings 1$132,4802501
Midland, TXEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$131,860700
Lexington Park, MDEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$131,810600
Lake Charles, LAEmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$128,3301800

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 142 · Employment 6,7504781426,750
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 84 · Employment 2,960154842,960
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployers with LCA filings 58 · Employment 4,520139584,520
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 54 · Employment 2,180115542,180
Trenton–Princeton, NJEmployers with LCA filings 17 · Employment 4808517480

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $81,994 · Level III $97,781 · Level IV $113,589$66,186$81,994$97,781$113,589
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $82,888 · Level III $102,898 · Level IV $122,886$62,899$82,888$102,898$122,886
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $81,744 · Level III $98,966 · Level IV $116,210$64,501$81,744$98,966$116,210
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $103,626 · Level III $130,250 · Level IV $156,874$77,002$103,626$130,250$156,874
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $82,950 · Level III $100,277 · Level IV $117,624$65,603$82,950$100,277$117,624
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $119,538 · Level III $144,310 · Level IV $169,062$94,786$119,538$144,310$169,062
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $93,683 · Level III $118,040 · Level IV $142,418$69,306$93,683$118,040$142,418
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $106,517 · Level III $130,624 · Level IV $154,731$82,410$106,517$130,624$154,731
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $85,322 · Level III $103,584 · Level IV $121,867$67,038$85,322$103,584$121,867
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $82,534 · Level III $101,067 · Level IV $119,621$63,981$82,534$101,067$119,621
Trenton–Princeton, NJLevel II $81,661 · Level III $99,174 · Level IV $116,667$64,168$81,661$99,174$116,667

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
ChemistryCIP 40.05STEM OPT · up to 36 months2,744STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02STEM OPT · up to 36 months1,304STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Chemists in every metro area

All 215 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology