Chemist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Chemists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $86,690 a year ($41.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,290 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 5% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $82,800. There are 0.78 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,430 | $25.69 |
| 25th percentile | $65,440 | $31.46 |
| Median | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| 75th percentile | $125,600 | $60.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,290 | $72.74 |
| Average (mean) | $98,920 | $47.56 |
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 | $7,224.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,612.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,334.23 |
| Weekly | $1,667.12 |
| Hourly | $41.68 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $105,370 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $103,980 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $90,920 | 2,630 |
| Columbia, MO | $87,000 | 90 |
| Springfield, IL | $84,110 | 40 |
| 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 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,310 | 80 |
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. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $111,650 | $53.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,010 | $45.20 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,250 | $48.68 |
| Chemical Technician | $73,290 | $35.24 |
| School Psychologist | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Biological Technician | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,920 | $31.21 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for chemists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $86,690 a year, or $41.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of chemists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $151,290 a year. The top 25% earn $125,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,430 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $65,440 or less.
How many chemists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 1,040 chemists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.