What is the average Cannabis Chemist salary in the US?

The national median Cannabis Chemist salary is $72,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $52,000, while senior professionals earn $132,000 or more.

Which city pays Cannabis Chemists the most?

New York City offers the highest median Cannabis Chemist salary at $135K per year among the cities we track. However, high-cost cities like San Francisco and New York often have lower purchasing power once cost of living is factored in.

How fast are Cannabis Chemist salaries growing?

Cannabis Chemist salaries are growing at 18.5% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Cannabis10% remote-eligible+18.5% YoY growth

Cannabis Chemist Salary
by City (2026)

Test cannabis products for potency, purity, and contaminants to ensure safety standards. National median: $72K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$72K

Top 10% earn

$132K

Entry level

$52K

Salary growth

+18.5%/yr

Cannabis Chemist salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
New York City, NY	$97K	$135K	$183K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$96K	$133K	$181K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$96K	$133K	$181K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$91K	$126K	$172K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$89K	$124K	$169K	172	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$86K	$119K	$162K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$86K	$119K	$162K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$84K	$117K	$159K	162	None ✓
Stamford, CT	$82K	$114K	$155K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$81K	$112K	$152K	155	11%
San Francisco, CA	$78K	$108K	$147K	224	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$78K	$108K	$147K	150	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$77K	$107K	$145K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$77K	$107K	$145K	148	5.75%
San Jose, CA	$75K	$104K	$142K	210	9.3%
Alexandria, VA	$75K	$104K	$142K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$75K	$104K	$142K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$73K	$101K	$137K	140	10.75%
Oakland, CA	$72K	$99K	$135K	185	9.3%
Chula Vista, CA	$72K	$99K	$135K	138	9.3%
Washington, DC	$72K	$99K	$135K	152	8.5%
Edison, NJ	$72K	$99K	$135K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$72K	$99K	$135K	138	None ✓
Jersey City, NJ	$70K	$97K	$132K	162	10.75%
Los Angeles, CA	$68K	$94K	$127K	163	9.3%
Seattle, WA	$68K	$94K	$127K	150	None ✓
Boston, MA	$68K	$94K	$127K	162	5%
Arlington, VA	$68K	$94K	$127K	148	5.75%
Newark, NJ	$67K	$92K	$125K	155	10.75%
San Diego, CA	$65K	$90K	$123K	148	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$63K	$88K	$120K	155	9.3%
New Haven, CT	$63K	$88K	$120K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$62K	$86K	$118K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$61K	$85K	$116K	128	9.3%
Riverside, CA	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	5%
Portland, OR	$61K	$85K	$116K	130	9.9%
Gresham, OR	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$61K	$85K	$116K	118	5.99%
Austin, TX	$60K	$83K	$113K	110	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$60K	$83K	$113K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$60K	$83K	$113K	115	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$60K	$83K	$113K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$60K	$83K	$113K	118	2.5%
Denver, CO	$60K	$83K	$113K	118	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$60K	$83K	$113K	115	4.55%
Ann Arbor, MI	$60K	$83K	$113K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$60K	$83K	$113K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$60K	$83K	$113K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$60K	$83K	$113K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$60K	$83K	$113K	115	5.99%
Miami, FL	$58K	$81K	$110K	123	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$58K	$81K	$110K	112	None ✓
Tacoma, WA	$58K	$81K	$110K	128	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$58K	$81K	$110K	112	4.55%
Worcester, MA	$58K	$81K	$110K	120	5%
Cary, NC	$58K	$81K	$110K	112	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$58K	$81K	$110K	110	3.07%
Baltimore, MD	$58K	$81K	$110K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$58K	$81K	$110K	192	11%
Dallas, TX	$57K	$79K	$108K	96	None ✓
Plano, TX	$57K	$79K	$108K	105	None ✓
Atlanta, GA	$57K	$79K	$108K	99	5.75%
Minneapolis, MN	$57K	$79K	$108K	106	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$57K	$79K	$108K	110	9.9%
Salt Lake City, UT	$57K	$79K	$108K	105	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$57K	$79K	$108K	118	6.99%
McKinney, TX	$56K	$78K	$106K	108	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$56K	$78K	$106K	108	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$56K	$78K	$106K	118	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$56K	$78K	$106K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$56K	$78K	$106K	108	2.5%
Aurora, CO	$56K	$78K	$106K	112	4.55%
Thornton, CO	$56K	$78K	$106K	108	4.55%
Raleigh, NC	$56K	$78K	$106K	102	4.75%
Durham, NC	$56K	$78K	$106K	100	4.75%
St. Paul, MN	$56K	$78K	$106K	104	6.8%
Boise, ID	$56K	$78K	$106K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$56K	$78K	$106K	108	6.6%
Anchorage, AK	$56K	$78K	$106K	128	None ✓
Irving, TX	$55K	$76K	$103K	97	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$55K	$76K	$103K	105	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$55K	$76K	$103K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$55K	$76K	$103K	100	2.5%
Chandler, AZ	$55K	$76K	$103K	105	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$55K	$76K	$103K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$55K	$76K	$103K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$55K	$76K	$103K	102	None ✓
Salem, OR	$55K	$76K	$103K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$55K	$76K	$103K	105	None ✓
Provo, UT	$55K	$76K	$103K	100	4.85%
Meridian, ID	$55K	$76K	$103K	105	5.8%
Houston, TX	$54K	$75K	$102K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$53K	$73K	$100K	93	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$53K	$73K	$100K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$53K	$73K	$100K	100	None ✓
Reno, NV	$53K	$73K	$100K	108	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$53K	$73K	$100K	102	6.75%
Arlington, TX	$52K	$72K	$98K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$52K	$72K	$98K	91	None ✓
Denton, TX	$52K	$72K	$98K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$52K	$72K	$98K	100	9.3%
St. Petersburg, FL	$52K	$72K	$98K	105	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$52K	$72K	$98K	100	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$52K	$72K	$98K	98	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$52K	$72K	$98K	100	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$52K	$72K	$98K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$52K	$72K	$98K	90	3.99%
Pittsburgh, PA	$52K	$72K	$98K	90	3.07%
Rochester, MN	$52K	$72K	$98K	100	6.8%
Las Vegas, NV	$52K	$72K	$98K	102	None ✓
West Jordan, UT	$52K	$72K	$98K	100	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$52K	$72K	$98K	105	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$52K	$72K	$98K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$52K	$72K	$98K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	None ✓
Virginia Beach, VA	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	5.75%
Cincinnati, OH	$51K	$71K	$96K	88	3.99%
Kansas City, MO	$51K	$71K	$96K	90	5.3%
Madison, WI	$51K	$71K	$96K	102	5.3%
North Las Vegas, NV	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$51K	$71K	$96K	98	7.15%
Colorado Springs, CO	$50K	$69K	$94K	102	4.55%
St. Louis, MO	$50K	$69K	$94K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$50K	$69K	$94K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$50K	$69K	$94K	90	5.3%
Huntsville, AL	$50K	$69K	$94K	88	5%
Fresno, CA	$49K	$68K	$93K	102	9.3%
Bakersfield, CA	$49K	$68K	$93K	95	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$49K	$68K	$93K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$49K	$68K	$93K	93	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$49K	$68K	$93K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$49K	$68K	$93K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$49K	$68K	$93K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$49K	$68K	$93K	95	5.75%
Detroit, MI	$49K	$68K	$93K	82	4.25%
Allentown, PA	$49K	$68K	$93K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$49K	$68K	$93K	95	6.5%
Des Moines, IA	$49K	$68K	$93K	88	4.82%
San Antonio, TX	$48K	$67K	$91K	87	None ✓
Midland, TX	$48K	$66K	$90K	92	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$48K	$66K	$90K	88	6.85%
Athens, GA	$48K	$66K	$90K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$48K	$66K	$90K	92	6.8%
Louisville, KY	$48K	$66K	$90K	85	5%
Greenville, SC	$48K	$66K	$90K	92	6.5%
Omaha, NE	$48K	$66K	$90K	88	5.84%
Cheyenne, WY	$48K	$66K	$90K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$47K	$65K	$88K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$47K	$65K	$88K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$47K	$65K	$88K	90	4.95%
Spokane, WA	$47K	$65K	$88K	95	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$47K	$65K	$88K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$47K	$65K	$88K	90	4.25%
Sterling Heights, MI	$47K	$65K	$88K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$47K	$65K	$88K	90	5.3%
New Orleans, LA	$47K	$65K	$88K	92	6%
Fargo, ND	$47K	$65K	$88K	90	2.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$46K	$63K	$86K	84	None ✓
Pasadena, TX	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$46K	$63K	$86K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$46K	$63K	$86K	92	5.75%
Greensboro, NC	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	4.75%
Memphis, TN	$46K	$63K	$86K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$46K	$63K	$86K	85	None ✓
Chattanooga, TN	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	None ✓
Green Bay, WI	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	5%
Birmingham, AL	$46K	$63K	$86K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$46K	$63K	$86K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$46K	$63K	$86K	88	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$45K	$62K	$84K	80	4.75%
El Paso, TX	$44K	$61K	$83K	82	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	4.82%
Wichita, KS	$44K	$61K	$83K	82	5.7%
Kansas City, KS	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$44K	$61K	$83K	85	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$43K	$59K	$80K	78	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	4.82%
Little Rock, AR	$43K	$59K	$80K	82	4.9%
Killeen, TX	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$42K	$58K	$78K	80	5%
Laredo, TX	$41K	$56K	$76K	76	None ✓
Abilene, TX	$41K	$56K	$76K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$41K	$56K	$76K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$41K	$56K	$76K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$41K	$56K	$76K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$41K	$56K	$76K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$41K	$56K	$76K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$39K	$54K	$74K	75	None ✓
Fort Smith, AR	$39K	$54K	$74K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$39K	$54K	$74K	75	6.5%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $72K Cannabis Chemist salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Cannabis Chemist Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Cannabis Chemist is $72,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $52,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $98,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Cannabis Chemists nationally earn $132,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in Chemistry; cannabis lab testing experience; state certification. This role is 10% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Cannabis Chemist compensation is growing at 18.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Cannabis Chemists significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Cannabis Chemist Salaryby City (2026)