Chemist 1 pay range
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · class code 15120
- Class code
- 15120
- Pay scale group
- ST 06
- Pay unit
- Year
- Bargaining unit
- B4
- State
- Pennsylvania
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published pay range for Chemist 1 is $53,008 to $80,646 per year.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration keys this classification as class code 15120.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Class specification
The Commonwealth job specification for this class is published by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration. The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 11/03/2007.
What the state says the job is
This is professional work in the detection, quantitation and characterization of chemical substances and materials in a base laboratory or mobile laboratory setting. An employee in this job conducts, completes, evaluates and reports analytical laboratory tests that qualitatively and quantitatively identify chemical materials and substances. Work involves performing standardized tests to evaluate materials for the detection of substances for a variety of purposes. Testing procedures usually include the application of instrument analysis techniques to determine chemical composition. Test procedures are usually standardized but test results may vary widely and require professional interpretation and evaluation. Incorporation and assessment of quality assurance and quality control components are essential to the evaluation and validation of results produced.
Examples of the work
Processes, prepares and analyzes water, soil, air, food commodities, tissues or waste samples for trace level organic or inorganic components or adulteration or contamination; standardizes solutions and prepares test reagents; and reports results. Analyzes feeds, fertilizers or fish to determine the content of protein, nitrogen, fat, fiber and other elements and contaminants. Performs analyses using chemical, physical or instrumental techniques. Identifies and quantifies radiochemical species in water or in other sample matrices.
Minimum qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in chemistry; or A bachelor’s degree that includes 30 credits in chemistry or biochemistry. CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Certain positions will require possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
Quoted from the Commonwealth job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration publishes this figure in Classification and Pay Plan (online, current annual salary ranges). Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The Commonwealth also links this class code to its own job title and specification. That page is the official description of the classification; this page publishes its pay range.
The listed pay scale is available in the Commonwealth's current ST schedule.
Nearby classes in Pennsylvania
Chemist 1 in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $44,193 | $88,386 | $44,193 to $88,386 |
| Indiana | $59,800 | $92,690 | $59,800 to $92,690 |
| Minnesota | $54,539 | $79,156 | $54,539 to $79,156 |
| Washington | $55,596 | $74,748 | $55,596 to $74,748 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.