Chemist salary in Kentucky
Chemists in Kentucky earn a median of $84,090 a year ($40.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,060 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $91,240. Kentucky ranks 32nd of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.27 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $86,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| 25th percentile | $64,800 | $31.16 |
| Median | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| 75th percentile | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,060 | $60.60 |
| Average (mean) | $86,740 | $41.70 |
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 | $7,007.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,503.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,234.23 |
| Weekly | $1,617.12 |
| Hourly | $40.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $96,170 | 930 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $86,090 | 110 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $80,780 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $76,110 | 40 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $68,640 | 120 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $77,510 | $37.27 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,240 | $49.63 |
| Physicist | $180,910 | $86.98 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,120 | $29.38 |
| School Psychologist | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for chemists in Kentucky is $84,090 a year, or $40.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of chemists in Kentucky earn at least $126,060 a year. The top 25% earn $98,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,950 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $64,800 or less.
How many chemists work in Kentucky?
About 530 chemists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.