Chemist salary in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
Chemists in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area earn a median of $103,980 a year ($49.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,480 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 21% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $86,100. There are 0.27 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $102,990, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,340 | $30.93 |
| 25th percentile | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Median | $103,980 | $49.99 |
| 75th percentile | $132,760 | $63.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,480 | $68.50 |
| Average (mean) | $102,990 | $49.52 |
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 | $8,665 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,332.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,999.23 |
| Weekly | $1,999.62 |
| Hourly | $49.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $90,920 | 2,630 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $87,560 | 150 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,690 | 1,040 |
| Ames, IA | $84,300 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $84,110 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $80,510 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $74,890 | 170 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,310 | 80 |
| Iowa City, IA | $65,270 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $87,270 | $41.96 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,280 | $44.85 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| School Psychologist | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Agricultural Technician | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $73,910 | $35.53 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,560 | $31.04 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,300 | $42.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-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 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL?
The median salary for chemists in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area is $103,980 a year, or $49.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL?
The top 10% of chemists in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area earn at least $142,480 a year. The top 25% earn $132,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,340 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $77,090 or less.
How many chemists work in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL?
About 50 chemists are employed in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.