Chemist salary in Nebraska
Chemists in Nebraska earn a median of $74,890 a year ($36.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,510 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $91,240. Nebraska ranks 48th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.34 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $84,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| 25th percentile | $64,850 | $31.18 |
| Median | $74,890 | $36.00 |
| 75th percentile | $98,830 | $47.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,510 | $61.78 |
| Average (mean) | $84,560 | $40.66 |
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 | $6,240.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,120.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,880.38 |
| Weekly | $1,440.19 |
| Hourly | $36.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $82,920 | 80 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $74,890 | 170 |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $85,550 | $41.13 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $94,540 | $45.45 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Biological Technician | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Agricultural Technician | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| School Psychologist | $88,980 | $42.78 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $74,830 | $35.98 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,640 | $23.39 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,640 | $30.12 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for chemists in Nebraska is $74,890 a year, or $36.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of chemists in Nebraska earn at least $128,510 a year. The top 25% earn $98,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,280 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $64,850 or less.
How many chemists work in Nebraska?
About 350 chemists are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.