Chemist salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Chemists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $96,170 a year ($46.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,690 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 13% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $85,270. There are 0.84 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| 25th percentile | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Median | $96,170 | $46.23 |
| 75th percentile | $117,010 | $56.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,690 | $68.60 |
| Average (mean) | $97,410 | $46.83 |
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 | $8,014.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,007.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,698.85 |
| Weekly | $1,849.42 |
| Hourly | $46.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $104,510 | 230 |
| Evansville, IN | $95,210 | 140 |
| Columbus, OH | $94,170 | 1,170 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $90,920 | 2,630 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $86,090 | 110 |
| Cleveland, OH | $82,020 | 680 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $80,780 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $78,990 | 200 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $78,860 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $78,770 | 1,310 |
| Toledo, OH | $78,250 | 150 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $77,830 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IN | $77,080 | 190 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $76,660 | 50 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $76,290 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $76,110 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $74,890 | 70 |
| Lima, OH | $72,570 | 100 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $68,640 | 120 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $65,170 | 30 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $52,140 | 120 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Materials Scientist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $120,740 | $58.05 |
| Physicist | $142,180 | $68.36 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| Biological Technician | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| School Psychologist | $89,290 | $42.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $67,930 | $32.66 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $185,390 | $89.13 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for chemists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $96,170 a year, or $46.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of chemists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $142,690 a year. The top 25% earn $117,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,450 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $76,210 or less.
How many chemists work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 930 chemists are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.