Chemist salary in Topeka, KS
Chemists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $60,130 a year ($28.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,460 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 27% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $82,820. There are 0.30 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $67,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,320 | $26.60 |
| 25th percentile | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Median | $60,130 | $28.91 |
| 75th percentile | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,460 | $46.86 |
| Average (mean) | $67,160 | $32.29 |
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 | $5,010.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,505.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,312.69 |
| Weekly | $1,156.35 |
| Hourly | $28.91 |
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 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $83,420 | 550 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,230 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $77,460 | 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,880 | $29.75 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $80,670 | $38.79 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $162,810 | $78.27 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| School Psychologist | $65,580 | $31.53 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,160 | $40.94 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $73,140 | $35.17 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $69,830 | $33.57 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, 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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for chemists in the Topeka, KS metro area is $60,130 a year, or $28.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of chemists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $97,460 a year. The top 25% earn $64,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,320 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $57,300 or less.
How many chemists work in Topeka, KS?
About 30 chemists are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.