Chemist salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Chemists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $68,640 a year ($33.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,030 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 18% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $84,090. There are 0.42 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $74,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,410 | $25.20 |
| 25th percentile | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Median | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| 75th percentile | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Average (mean) | $74,890 | $36.01 |
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 | $5,720 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,860 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,640 |
| Weekly | $1,320 |
| Hourly | $33.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $86,090 | 110 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $80,780 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $76,110 | 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $67,610 | $32.51 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $67,700 | $32.55 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $73,980 | $35.57 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $87,870 | $42.24 |
| School Psychologist | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,170 | $26.52 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $130,400 | $62.69 |
| Biological Technician | $54,810 | $26.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for chemists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $68,640 a year, or $33.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of chemists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $98,030 a year. The top 25% earn $84,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,410 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $62,810 or less.
How many chemists work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 120 chemists are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.