Chemist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Chemists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $78,860 a year ($37.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,850 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $78,730. There are 0.54 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,850 | $28.78 |
| 25th percentile | $67,010 | $32.22 |
| Median | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| 75th percentile | $101,280 | $48.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,850 | $51.37 |
| Average (mean) | $84,570 | $40.66 |
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 | $6,571.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,285.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,033.08 |
| Weekly | $1,516.54 |
| Hourly | $37.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,280 | 1,420 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $95,430 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $91,560 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $84,520 | 80 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $82,260 | 90 |
| Madison, WI | $78,730 | 780 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $78,260 | 130 |
| Green Bay, WI | $74,660 | 50 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,280 | $36.68 |
| Physicist | $173,160 | $83.25 |
| Hydrologist | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| School Psychologist | $95,090 | $45.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $109,940 | $52.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Biological Technician | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $69,980 | $33.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for chemists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $78,860 a year, or $37.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of chemists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $106,850 a year. The top 25% earn $101,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,850 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $67,010 or less.
How many chemists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 440 chemists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.