Chemist salary in Columbus, OH
Chemists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $94,170 a year ($45.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,820 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 10% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $85,270. There are 1.1 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| 25th percentile | $71,850 | $34.54 |
| Median | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| 75th percentile | $121,300 | $58.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,820 | $64.82 |
| Average (mean) | $96,840 | $46.56 |
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 | $7,847.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,923.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,621.92 |
| Weekly | $1,810.96 |
| Hourly | $45.27 |
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 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $96,170 | 930 |
| Cleveland, OH | $82,020 | 680 |
| Akron, OH | $78,990 | 200 |
| Toledo, OH | $78,250 | 150 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $76,660 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $76,110 | 40 |
| Lima, OH | $72,570 | 100 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $65,170 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Hydrologist | $98,200 | $47.21 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,140 | $40.45 |
| Materials Scientist | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Physicist | $170,400 | $81.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Biological Technician | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,940 | $31.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for chemists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $94,170 a year, or $45.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of chemists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $134,820 a year. The top 25% earn $121,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,600 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $71,850 or less.
How many chemists work in Columbus, OH?
About 1,170 chemists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.