Chemists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $100,720 +19.7% vs national
Median hourly $48.42
10th percentile $62,100
90th percentile $159,140
Employed locally 2,810
National median $84,150

Compare Chemists salary & buying power

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Chemists
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,100
    25th
    $74,140
    50th (median)
    $100,720
    75th
    $129,320
    90th
    $159,140

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 113% Median Chemists salary is 13% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $153,320
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $145,430
    Albuquerque, NM $137,740
    New Mexico $134,370
    Maryland $131,910
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $130,830

    Nearby metros — Chemists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Huntsville, AL $127,070
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $124,440
    Peoria, IL $122,950
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $107,100
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $102,140
    Gainesville, GA $99,270

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $78,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $98,240
    School Psychologists $80,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,780
    Physicists $131,260
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $66,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Chicago, IL-IN is $48.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.16 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 19.7% above the national median of $84,150. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemists in Chicago?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $62,100 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $74,140.