Chemist salary in Wichita, KS
Chemists in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $96,040 a year ($46.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,120 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 16% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $82,820. There are 0.29 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $90,300, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,110 | $26.01 |
| 25th percentile | $64,030 | $30.79 |
| Median | $96,040 | $46.17 |
| 75th percentile | $118,220 | $56.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,120 | $59.19 |
| Average (mean) | $90,300 | $43.41 |
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 | $8,003.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,001.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,693.85 |
| Weekly | $1,846.92 |
| Hourly | $46.17 |
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 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $83,420 | 550 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,230 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $77,460 | 40 |
| 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $100,160 | $48.16 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| School Psychologist | $66,810 | $32.12 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Biological Technician | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,630 | $38.28 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Agricultural Technician | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $74,440 | $35.79 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Wichita, 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 Wichita, KS?
The median salary for chemists in the Wichita, KS metro area is $96,040 a year, or $46.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of chemists in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $123,120 a year. The top 25% earn $118,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,110 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $64,030 or less.
How many chemists work in Wichita, KS?
About 90 chemists are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.