Chemist salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Chemists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $78,770 a year ($37.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,140 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is about the same as the Indiana statewide median of $78,770. There are 1.2 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,170 | $27.97 |
| 25th percentile | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Median | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| 75th percentile | $99,870 | $48.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,140 | $64.01 |
| Average (mean) | $88,560 | $42.58 |
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 | $6,564.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,282.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,029.62 |
| Weekly | $1,514.81 |
| Hourly | $37.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $96,170 | 930 |
| Evansville, IN | $95,210 | 140 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $90,920 | 2,630 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $86,090 | 110 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $78,860 | 60 |
| 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 |
| 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $67,000 | $32.21 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Physicist | $105,940 | $50.93 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $107,690 | $51.77 |
| Hydrologist | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Biological Technician | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,810 | $23.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, 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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for chemists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $78,770 a year, or $37.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of chemists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $133,140 a year. The top 25% earn $99,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,170 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $65,140 or less.
How many chemists work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 1,310 chemists are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.