Chemist salary in Columbia, MO
Chemists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $87,000 a year ($41.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,550 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 5% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $82,800. There are 0.79 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,350, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| 25th percentile | $55,350 | $26.61 |
| Median | $87,000 | $41.83 |
| 75th percentile | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,550 | $50.75 |
| Average (mean) | $80,350 | $38.63 |
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 | $7,250 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,625 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,346.15 |
| Weekly | $1,673.08 |
| Hourly | $41.83 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,690 | 1,040 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $83,420 | 550 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,230 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $77,460 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $76,270 | 30 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,050 | $31.28 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Biological Technician | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Chemical Technician | $67,760 | $32.58 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $75,870 | $36.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for chemists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $87,000 a year, or $41.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of chemists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $105,550 a year. The top 25% earn $91,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,760 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $55,350 or less.
How many chemists work in Columbia, MO?
About 90 chemists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.