Chemist salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Chemists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $83,420 a year ($40.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,660 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $82,800. There are 0.50 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| 25th percentile | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Median | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| 75th percentile | $107,080 | $51.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,660 | $64.74 |
| Average (mean) | $89,240 | $42.90 |
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 | $6,951.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,475.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,208.46 |
| Weekly | $1,604.23 |
| Hourly | $40.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | $96,050 | 60 |
| Wichita, KS | $96,040 | 90 |
| Columbia, MO | $87,000 | 90 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,690 | 1,040 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,230 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $77,460 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $76,270 | 30 |
| 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,690 | $38.79 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $117,810 | $56.64 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Physicist | $141,200 | $67.88 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,900 | $44.66 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $74,810 | $35.97 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $55,660 | $26.76 |
| Biological Technician | $52,630 | $25.30 |
| School Psychologist | $78,090 | $37.54 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,560 | $29.59 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,520 | $40.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for chemists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $83,420 a year, or $40.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of chemists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $134,660 a year. The top 25% earn $107,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,360 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $62,750 or less.
How many chemists work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 550 chemists are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.