Chemist salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Chemists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $63,810 a year ($30.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,860 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 35% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $97,440. There are 0.63 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| 25th percentile | $49,990 | $24.04 |
| Median | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| 75th percentile | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,860 | $49.45 |
| Average (mean) | $69,470 | $33.40 |
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 | $5,317.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,658.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,454.23 |
| Weekly | $1,227.12 |
| Hourly | $30.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bay City, MI | $132,480 | 250 |
| Midland, MI | $105,710 | 240 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $105,220 | 230 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $92,320 | 70 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $85,770 | 1,250 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $82,110 | 290 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $74,890 | 70 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $67,050 | 230 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| Physicist | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $91,100 | $43.80 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,760 | $39.79 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $89,170 | $42.87 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Agricultural Technician | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $66,330 | $31.89 |
| Conservation Scientist | $67,580 | $32.49 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for chemists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $63,810 a year, or $30.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of chemists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $102,860 a year. The top 25% earn $83,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,200 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $49,990 or less.
How many chemists work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 140 chemists are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.