Chemist salary in Missouri
Chemists in Missouri earn a median of $82,800 a year ($39.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,940 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $91,240. Missouri ranks 34th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.56 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| 25th percentile | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Median | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| 75th percentile | $109,070 | $52.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,940 | $64.87 |
| Average (mean) | $92,000 | $44.23 |
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 | $6,900 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,450 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,184.62 |
| Weekly | $1,592.31 |
| Hourly | $39.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MO | $87,000 | 90 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,690 | 1,040 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $83,420 | 550 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,230 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $77,460 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $76,270 | 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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $114,230 | $54.92 |
| Physicist | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Hydrologist | $116,100 | $55.82 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Chemical Technician | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| Biological Technician | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for chemists in Missouri is $82,800 a year, or $39.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of chemists in Missouri earn at least $134,940 a year. The top 25% earn $109,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,240 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $62,560 or less.
How many chemists work in Missouri?
About 1,640 chemists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.