Chemist salary in Lawrence, KS
Chemists in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $96,050 a year ($46.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,760 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 16% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $82,820. There are 1.2 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| 25th percentile | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| Median | $96,050 | $46.18 |
| 75th percentile | $129,550 | $62.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,760 | $63.34 |
| Average (mean) | $100,120 | $48.13 |
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 | $8,004.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,002.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,694.23 |
| Weekly | $1,847.12 |
| Hourly | $46.18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| School Psychologist | $84,740 | $40.74 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,230 | $28.96 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lawrence, KS
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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for chemists in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $96,050 a year, or $46.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of chemists in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $131,760 a year. The top 25% earn $129,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,130 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $75,940 or less.
How many chemists work in Lawrence, KS?
About 60 chemists are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.