Chemist salary in Kansas
Chemists in Kansas earn a median of $82,820 a year ($39.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,460 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $91,240. Kansas ranks 33rd of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.48 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| 25th percentile | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| Median | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| 75th percentile | $107,510 | $51.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,460 | $63.69 |
| Average (mean) | $88,190 | $42.40 |
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 | $6,901.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,450.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,185.38 |
| Weekly | $1,592.69 |
| Hourly | $39.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | $96,050 | 60 |
| Wichita, KS | $96,040 | 90 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $83,420 | 550 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,230 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $77,460 | 40 |
| Topeka, KS | $60,130 | 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 |
Related jobs in Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,080 | $38.50 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Materials Scientist | $115,490 | $55.52 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| School Psychologist | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Biological Technician | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Agricultural Technician | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,130 | $40.93 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for chemists in Kansas is $82,820 a year, or $39.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Kansas?
The top 10% of chemists in Kansas earn at least $132,460 a year. The top 25% earn $107,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,360 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $60,050 or less.
How many chemists work in Kansas?
About 690 chemists are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.