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GC Chemist Salary in the United States

How much does a GC Chemist make in the United States? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a GC Chemist in the United States is $103,409 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a GC Chemist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,109
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,097 to $115,291
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,619
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out GC Chemist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence GC Chemist Salaries

A GC Chemist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects GC Chemist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a GC Chemist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,151
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $83,297
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $100,933
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,379
  • Expert (over 8 years): $154,556
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Chemist I less than 1 year $67,151
Chemist II 1-2 years $83,297
GC Chemist 2-4 years $100,933
Chemist IV 5-8 years $132,379
Chemist V over 8 years $154,556

How Do GC Chemist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract GC Chemists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $114,494.
  • California: $114,060.
  • Massachusetts: $112,540.

Top Paying Cities for GC Chemist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $130,430
  • San Francisco: $129,002
  • Oakland: $126,283

GC Chemist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For GC Chemist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, GC Chemist positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view GC Chemist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a GC Chemist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $124,091 $60.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $118,920 $57.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $115,818 $56.0 12%
MFG Durable $113,750 $55.0 10%
Chemicals $111,682 $54.0 8%

How Education impacts a GC Chemist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many GC Chemist professionals enter the field with a Master's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a GC Chemist with a Master's is between $100,591 and $107,435.

GC Chemist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for GC Chemist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.9%
High School 29.8%
Associate's Degree 0.9%
Bachelor's Degree 29.8%
Master's Degree or MBA 31.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 37.8%
View as Graph

GC Chemist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a GC Chemist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$94,097
Average $103,409/year
$115,291
$7,841
Average $8,617/month
$9,608
$1,810
Average $1,989/week
$2,217
$45
Average $50/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $115,291 $9,608 $2,217 $55
Average $103,409 $8,617 $1,989 $50
25th Percentile $94,097 $7,841 $1,810 $45

Most common benefits for GC Chemist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for GC Chemist

Here are companies hiring for GC Chemist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next GC Chemist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current GC Chemist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

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    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Food... more

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FAQ about GC Chemist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for GC Chemist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for GC Chemist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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