Chemist salary in Ames, IA
Chemists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $84,300 a year ($40.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,210 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $86,100. There are 0.73 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| 25th percentile | $67,620 | $32.51 |
| Median | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| 75th percentile | $108,010 | $51.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Average (mean) | $92,310 | $44.38 |
Half of chemists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,025 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,512.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,242.31 |
| Weekly | $1,621.15 |
| Hourly | $40.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $103,980 | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $87,560 | 150 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $80,510 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $74,890 | 170 |
| Iowa City, IA | $65,270 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,080 | $31.29 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $65,020 | $31.26 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for chemists in the Ames, IA metro area is $84,300 a year, or $40.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $143,210 a year. The top 25% earn $108,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,710 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $67,620 or less.
How many chemists work in Ames, IA?
About 40 chemists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.