Chemistry Professor Salary: Highest Paying States and Lowest Paying States

In the diverse landscape of academia, the remuneration of professionals often hinges upon a multitude of factors, ranging from the field of study to the geographic location of the institution. Among these disciplines, the earnings of chemistry professors have become a topic of keen interest, reflecting broader trends in the valuation of scientific education and research in the United States. 

This BrokeScholar study breaks down the financial terrain of these educators, spotlighting the states where chemistry professors command the highest salaries, contrasted with those where their compensation might seem modest. 

Read on to find out the average chemistry professor salary in every state.

Table of Contents

• How Much Do Chemistry Professors Make?
• 10 States With the Highest Chemistry Professor Salaries
• 10 States With the Lowest Chemistry Professor Salaries
• Table of All States and Chemistry Professor Salaries
• The Bottom Line on the Average Chemistry Professor Salary

How Much Do Chemistry Professors Make?

In order to identify where the average chemistry professor salary is highest, BrokeScholar conducted a study on the annual wages of chemistry professors across the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average chemistry professor salary (referred to as “chemistry teachers, postsecondary” by the BLS) is $95,250. 

However, the typical chemistry professor salary can vary significantly from state to state. For example, in the highest-paying state for chemistry professors, the average chemistry professor salary is roughly $25,000 higher than the national average. Not only that, but the state with the highest average chemistry professor salary is also over $50,000 more than in the state with the lowest chemistry professor salary.

10 States With the Highest Chemistry Professor Salaries

Geographically, the states where chemistry professors earn the most money on average tend to be in the Northeast and the West Coast of the US. In 10 states, the average chemistry professor salary is in excess of $100,000 a year. Here’s a look at the 10 states where chemistry professors earn the most money:

1. New Jersey Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $120,210

Median annual wage: $104,600

2. California Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $119,790

Median annual wage: $104,880

3. Nevada Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $117,140

Median annual wage: $105,390

4. Rhode Island Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $115,590

Median annual wage: $99,680

5. Utah Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $114,090

Median annual wage: $99,000

6. Connecticut Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $112,370

Median annual wage: $96,540

7. New York Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $112,030

Median annual wage: $99,430

8. Oregon Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $109,130

Median annual wage: $103,670

9. Maryland Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $104,010

Median annual wage: $84,790

10. Massachusetts Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $102,320

Median annual wage: $81,600

In the span of only one year, the average chemistry professor salary in the top-paying state — New Jersey — rose by more than a fifth (20.6%), from $99,710 to 120,210. The No. 6 highest-paying state — Connecticut — experienced comparable growth, with its average chemistry professor salary rising by 18.8%, from $94,590 to $112,370.

10 States With the Lowest Chemistry Professor Salaries

Looking at the flipside, we’ll focus on the 10 states where the average chemistry professor salary is lowest. Geographically, these states tend to be in the South and parts of the Midwest as well as some Rocky Mountain states. The lowest-paying state for chemistry professors has an average chemistry professor salary that’s nearly $26,000 less than the national average. Here’s a look at the 10 states where chemistry professors earn the least money:

1. Oklahoma Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $69,440

Median annual wage: $66,750

2. Arkansas Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $69,960

Median annual wage: $61,770

3. Mississippi Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $74,290

Median annual wage: $74,460

4. New Mexico Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $75,610

Median annual wage: $67,490

5. Kentucky Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $76,040

Median annual wage: $67,610

6. South Dakota Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $76,750

Median annual wage: $78,920

7. Arizona Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $78,420

Median annual wage: $66,260

8. Idaho Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $78,740

Median annual wage: $77,320

9. Iowa Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $80,360

Median annual wage: $66,130

10. South Carolina Chemistry Professor Salary

Average annual wage: $80,640

Median annual wage: $71,170

Ultimately, Oklahoma takes the cake as the lowest-paying state for chemistry professors, with an average annual wage of $69,440. Interestingly, in Mississippi, the median annual wage of chemistry professors is actually more than the average annual wage: $74,460 versus $74,290, respectively. Meanwhile, Iowa, which ranked as the ninth worst-paying state, has an average annual chemistry professor salary that’s over $14,000 higher than its corresponding annual median salary: $80,360 versus $66,130, respectively.

Table of All States and Chemistry Professor Salaries

Below you’ll find a table detailing the average chemistry professor salary in every state that there is data available for. The BLS does not have wage data for chemistry professors in two states: Alaska and Hawaii. States are listed in alphabetical order, but their rank in terms of average annual chemistry professor salary is included:

The Bottom Line on the Average Chemistry Professor Salary

The disparities in earnings among college chemistry professors across different states are both intriguing and revealing. High earning states like New Jersey, California, and Rhode Island tend to host prestigious institutions with greater resources — such as Princeton, Stanford, or Brown University — attracting top talent while also featuring very competitive undergraduate acceptance rates. However, it's very important to recognize that these higher salaries often correlate with higher costs of living and more expensive tuition fees. Hence, the message is clear for aspiring chemistry students: Where you choose to study can have a significant impact on both your professors' expertise and your financial considerations.

The analysis underscores the importance of scholarships for students pursuing chemistry or any other field of study. Scholarships can bridge the financial gap and provide opportunities to study under renowned professors in states where earnings are higher. By diligently researching and applying for scholarships, students can access quality education without being hindered by financial constraints.  In addition to scholarships, take advantage of student discounts to lower your day-to-day expenses. This ensures that talent and ambition remain the driving forces in education, rather than economic barriers, keeping the path to academic success within reach for all aspiring scholars.