Chemist salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Chemists in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $52,140 a year ($25.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,290 for the top 10%. That is 43% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 34% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $78,770. There are 1.1 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| 25th percentile | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Median | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| 75th percentile | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,290 | $61.20 |
| Average (mean) | $73,960 | $35.56 |
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 | $4,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,172.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,005.38 |
| Weekly | $1,002.69 |
| Hourly | $25.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $96,170 | 930 |
| Evansville, IN | $95,210 | 140 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $90,920 | 2,630 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $86,090 | 110 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $78,860 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $78,770 | 1,310 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $77,830 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IN | $77,080 | 190 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $76,290 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $74,890 | 70 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Biological Technician | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $55,240 | $26.56 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| Agricultural Technician | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $54,600 | $26.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $86,380 | $41.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for chemists in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $52,140 a year, or $25.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of chemists in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $127,290 a year. The top 25% earn $98,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,570 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $42,570 or less.
How many chemists work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 120 chemists are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.