Chemist salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Chemists in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $74,890 a year ($36.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,600 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is about the same as the Nebraska statewide median of $74,890. There are 0.34 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $87,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,850 | $30.70 |
| 25th percentile | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| Median | $74,890 | $36.00 |
| 75th percentile | $104,150 | $50.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,600 | $66.15 |
| Average (mean) | $87,380 | $42.01 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $103,980 | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $87,560 | 150 |
| Ames, IA | $84,300 | 40 |
| Lincoln, NE | $82,920 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $80,510 | 70 |
| Iowa City, IA | $65,270 | 40 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,790 | $31.63 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $92,340 | $44.40 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,500 | $39.19 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $89,700 | $43.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,500 | $43.03 |
| School Psychologist | $89,900 | $43.22 |
| Biological Technician | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Agricultural Technician | $38,030 | $18.29 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,270 | $40.03 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $88,070 | $42.34 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for chemists in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $74,890 a year, or $36.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $137,600 a year. The top 25% earn $104,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,850 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $64,290 or less.
How many chemists work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 170 chemists are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.