Chemist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Chemists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $85,770 a year ($41.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,540 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 12% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $97,440. There are 0.66 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| 25th percentile | $68,530 | $32.95 |
| Median | $85,770 | $41.23 |
| 75th percentile | $124,920 | $60.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,540 | $81.99 |
| Average (mean) | $100,840 | $48.48 |
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 | $7,147.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,573.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,298.85 |
| Weekly | $1,649.42 |
| Hourly | $41.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bay City, MI | $132,480 | 250 |
| Midland, MI | $105,710 | 240 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $105,220 | 230 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $92,320 | 70 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $82,110 | 290 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $74,890 | 70 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $67,050 | 230 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $63,810 | 140 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Physicist | $199,170 | $95.76 |
| Materials Scientist | $107,650 | $51.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,080 | $39.46 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,420 | $27.61 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Biological Technician | $50,580 | $24.32 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for chemists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $85,770 a year, or $41.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of chemists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $170,540 a year. The top 25% earn $124,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,920 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $68,530 or less.
How many chemists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 1,250 chemists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.