Chemist salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
Chemists in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn a median of $105,220 a year ($50.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,770 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 8% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $97,440. There are 1.9 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $103,630, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| 25th percentile | $79,550 | $38.24 |
| Median | $105,220 | $50.59 |
| 75th percentile | $121,020 | $58.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,770 | $67.68 |
| Average (mean) | $103,630 | $49.82 |
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 | $8,768.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,384.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,046.92 |
| Weekly | $2,023.46 |
| Hourly | $50.59 |
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 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $92,320 | 70 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $85,770 | 1,250 |
| 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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $65,250 | $31.37 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $87,160 | $41.91 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Microbiologist | $89,240 | $42.90 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,480 | $30.04 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| School Psychologist | $82,300 | $39.57 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $63,630 | $30.59 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kalamazoo-Portage, 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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The median salary for chemists in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area is $105,220 a year, or $50.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The top 10% of chemists in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn at least $140,770 a year. The top 25% earn $121,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,210 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $79,550 or less.
How many chemists work in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
About 230 chemists are employed in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.