Chemist salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Chemists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $86,090 a year ($41.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,970 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 2% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $84,090. There are 0.16 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $89,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| 25th percentile | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Median | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| 75th percentile | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,970 | $62.49 |
| Average (mean) | $89,860 | $43.20 |
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 | $7,174.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,587.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,311.15 |
| Weekly | $1,655.58 |
| Hourly | $41.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,090 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 |
| Evansville, IN | $95,210 | 140 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $90,920 | 2,630 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $80,780 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $78,860 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $78,770 | 1,310 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $77,830 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IN | $77,080 | 190 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $76,290 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $76,110 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $74,890 | 70 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $68,640 | 120 |
| 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,240 | $49.63 |
| Materials Scientist | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,270 | $42.44 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| School Psychologist | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| Biological Technician | $50,210 | $24.14 |
| Food Science Technician | $84,320 | $40.54 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for chemists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $86,090 a year, or $41.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of chemists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $129,970 a year. The top 25% earn $105,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,570 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $66,350 or less.
How many chemists work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 110 chemists are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.