Chemist salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Chemists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $67,310 a year ($32.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,560 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 21% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $85,230. There are 0.77 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| 25th percentile | $56,500 | $27.16 |
| Median | $67,310 | $32.36 |
| 75th percentile | $96,570 | $46.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,560 | $64.21 |
| Average (mean) | $80,050 | $38.49 |
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 | $5,609.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,804.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,588.85 |
| Weekly | $1,294.42 |
| Hourly | $32.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $105,370 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $103,980 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $90,920 | 2,630 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,690 | 1,040 |
| Springfield, IL | $84,110 | 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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Biological Technician | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Agricultural Technician | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Microbiologist | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| School Psychologist | $76,460 | $36.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,470 | $30.99 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $102,110 | $49.09 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for chemists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $67,310 a year, or $32.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of chemists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $133,560 a year. The top 25% earn $96,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,480 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $56,500 or less.
How many chemists work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 80 chemists are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.