How much does a chemist make in Chicago?
$90,920a year
Median yearly pay for chemists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $43.71 an hour or $7,577 a month.
- Hourly
- $43.71
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 78 of 212
- Jobs in the area
- 2,630
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $62,330Median: $90,920Highest 10%: $145,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,330 | $29.97 | |
| 25th | $72,950 | $35.07 | |
| Median | $90,920 | $43.71 | |
| 75th | $123,300 | $59.27 | |
| 90th | $145,900 | $70.16 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for chemists.
| Peoria, IL | $105,400 |
| Davenport, IA | $104,000 |
| St. Louis, MO | $86,690 |
| Champaign, IL | $67,310 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $137,100 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $133,500 |
| Materials Scientist | $133,300 |
| Physical Scientist | $121,700 |
| Geoscientist | $114,000 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $112,800 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $104,600 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,800 |
| Political Scientist | $103,800 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $101,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $43.71 ($90,920 a year).
Do chemists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $90,920 against $91,240 nationally, 0% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $85,230, so Chicago pays 7% more.
Where does Chicago rank for chemist pay?
78 of 212 metro areas with data.
How much does a chemist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $62,330 or less a year; the top 10% make $145,900 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.