Chemist salary in Michigan
Chemists in Michigan earn a median of $97,440 a year ($46.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,200 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $91,240. Michigan ranks 18th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.79 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,260 | $27.05 |
| 25th percentile | $66,490 | $31.96 |
| Median | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| 75th percentile | $131,190 | $63.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,200 | $78.94 |
| Average (mean) | $101,210 | $48.66 |
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 | $8,120 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,060 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,747.69 |
| Weekly | $1,873.85 |
| Hourly | $46.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bay City, MI | $132,480 | 250 |
| Midland, MI | $105,710 | 240 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $105,220 | 230 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Physicist | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Materials Scientist | $107,410 | $51.64 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $118,870 | $57.15 |
| Hydrologist | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| Biological Technician | $51,070 | $24.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for chemists in Michigan is $97,440 a year, or $46.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of chemists in Michigan earn at least $164,200 a year. The top 25% earn $131,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,260 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $66,490 or less.
How many chemists work in Michigan?
About 3,490 chemists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.