Chemist salary in Illinois
Chemists in Illinois earn a median of $85,230 a year ($40.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,310 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $91,240. Illinois ranks 29th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.50 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| 25th percentile | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Median | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| 75th percentile | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,310 | $67.94 |
| Average (mean) | $98,420 | $47.32 |
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 | $7,102.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,551.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,278.08 |
| Weekly | $1,639.04 |
| Hourly | $40.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Illinois
| 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 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,310 | 80 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicist | $137,140 | $65.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,590 | $39.23 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $108,970 | $52.39 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $96,950 | $46.61 |
| Materials Scientist | $125,850 | $60.50 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $112,280 | $53.98 |
| Hydrologist | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Microbiologist | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,890 | $29.76 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for chemists in Illinois is $85,230 a year, or $40.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of chemists in Illinois earn at least $141,310 a year. The top 25% earn $123,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,740 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $71,160 or less.
How many chemists work in Illinois?
About 3,040 chemists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.