Chemist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Chemists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $90,920 a year ($43.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,930 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 7% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $85,230. There are 0.58 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| 25th percentile | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| Median | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| 75th percentile | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,930 | $70.16 |
| Average (mean) | $100,450 | $48.29 |
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 | $7,576.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,788.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,496.92 |
| Weekly | $1,748.46 |
| Hourly | $43.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $96,170 | 930 |
| Evansville, IN | $95,210 | 140 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,690 | 1,040 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $86,090 | 110 |
| Springfield, IL | $84,110 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $78,860 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $78,770 | 1,310 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $77,830 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IN | $77,080 | 190 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $76,290 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $74,890 | 70 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,310 | 80 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $52,140 | 120 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicist | $137,140 | $65.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,310 | $41.01 |
| Materials Scientist | $133,340 | $64.10 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $121,720 | $58.52 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,030 | $54.82 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $133,490 | $64.18 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,630 | $48.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Microbiologist | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $69,820 | $33.57 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for chemists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $90,920 a year, or $43.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of chemists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $145,930 a year. The top 25% earn $123,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,330 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $72,950 or less.
How many chemists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,630 chemists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.