Chemist salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS
Chemists in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $78,230 a year ($37.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,350 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $82,800. There are 1.8 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,940 | $26.90 |
| 25th percentile | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Median | $78,230 | $37.61 |
| 75th percentile | $100,470 | $48.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,350 | $58.82 |
| Average (mean) | $81,420 | $39.14 |
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 | $6,519.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,259.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,008.85 |
| Weekly | $1,504.42 |
| Hourly | $37.61 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | $96,050 | 60 |
| Wichita, KS | $96,040 | 90 |
| Columbia, MO | $87,000 | 90 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,690 | 1,040 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $83,420 | 550 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $77,460 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $76,270 | 30 |
| 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $76,740 | $36.89 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,620 | $41.17 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $55,070 | $26.47 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in St. Joseph, MO-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 St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The median salary for chemists in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area is $78,230 a year, or $37.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The top 10% of chemists in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn at least $122,350 a year. The top 25% earn $100,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,940 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $62,400 or less.
How many chemists work in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
About 100 chemists are employed in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.