Chemist 2 pay range
State of Washington · class code 515Q
- Class code
- 515Q
- Salary range
- 56
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Chemist 2 is $64,512 to $86,688 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 515Q.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Step progression
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) assigns this class to salary range 56 in the General Service Salary Schedule. The range pays 13 steps; a step is normally earned on a periodic increment date, not negotiated.
| Basis | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $64,512 | $66,072 | $67,704 | $69,348 | $71,136 | $72,900 | $74,748 | $76,608 | $78,504 | $80,496 | $82,440 | $84,528 | $86,688 |
| Monthly | $5,376 | $5,506 | $5,642 | $5,779 | $5,928 | $6,075 | $6,229 | $6,384 | $6,542 | $6,708 | $6,870 | $7,044 | $7,224 |
| Hourly | $30.90 | $31.64 | $32.43 | $33.21 | $34.07 | $34.91 | $35.80 | $36.69 | $37.60 | $38.55 | $39.48 | $40.48 | $41.52 |
Steps as published. The monthly and hourly rows are the state's own, not conversions of the annual row.
Class specification
The OFM classified job specification for this class is published by Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). 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.
What the state says the job is
In a chemical or biochemical laboratory, selects appropriate procedures and conducts chemical testing and analyses on organic, inorganic, radiochemistry, or biochemical substances to determine compliance with regulations, suitability for consumption, use or exposure; documents and validates test data.
Examples of the work
Conducts chemical investigations of water or air pollution; food product, crop, or livestock contamination; mislabeling of agricultural products and chemicals; Determines extent and type of sampling necessary; selects and performs appropriate laboratory procedures and analyses; completes and checks laboratory calculations and projections; formulates and reports conclusions; suggests remedial measures; Develops laboratory routines and procedures for handling of high-volume testing under standards-maintenance programs; trains and supervises subordinate laboratory personnel; investigates erratic findings; Determines procedures for separating, identifying, and measuring quantities of novel chemi ...
Minimum qualifications
A Bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry and two years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory. OR One year of experience as a Chemist 1. NOTE: A Master's degree will substitute for two years of the required experience provided a Bachelor's degree and the required college-level chemistry has been achieved.
Quoted from the OFM classified job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) publishes this figure in Classified Job Listing joined to the OFM salary schedules effective July 1, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The dollar figures come from the salary schedule the listing assigns this range to.
Nearby classes in Washington
Chemist 2 in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $53,222 | $79,846 | $53,222 to $79,846 |
| Minnesota | $60,030 | $88,030 | $60,030 to $88,030 |
| New Jersey | $69,668 | $101,951 | $69,668 to $101,951 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,538 | $92,010 | $60,538 to $92,010 |
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.