Wages vary by level of education. Chemists who have a master's degree earn an average of $10,000 more per year than those who have a bachelor's degree. Those who have a PhD earn an average of $15,000 more per year than those who have a master's degree. In general, salaries are highest for those working in private industry, and lowest for those working for colleges or universities.
Full-time chemists usually receive benefits that include sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.
Chemists (SOC 19-2031)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $30.73 | $38.26 | $48.18 |
| Yearly | $63,921 | $79,581 | $100,212 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $28.98 | $35.09 | $42.72 |
| Yearly | $60,281 | $72,984 | $88,860 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $30.99 | $39.05 | $50.30 |
| Yearly | $64,449 | $81,209 | $104,622 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $30.26 | $32.46 | $40.55 |
| Yearly | $62,944 | $67,523 | $84,341 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $31.43 | $31.70 | $39.28 |
| Yearly | $65,387 | $65,938 | $81,701 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $30.53 | $31.82 | $39.73 |
| Yearly | $63,513 | $66,183 | $82,648 | |
| Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $26.46 | $33.85 | $39.53 |
| Yearly | $55,040 | $70,422 | $82,227 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $33.65 | $62.38 | $62.42 |
| Yearly | $69,980 | $129,756 | $129,842 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $38.57 | $63.10 | $78.58 |
| Yearly | $80,211 | $131,239 | $163,444 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $40.68 | $57.88 | $63.41 |
| Yearly | $84,596 | $120,395 | $131,894 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $28.22 | $30.49 | $37.16 |
| Yearly | $58,701 | $63,415 | $77,287 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $32.64 | $39.25 | $42.22 |
| Yearly | $67,883 | $81,646 | $87,824 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $29.86 | $35.62 | $45.43 |
| Yearly | $62,108 | $74,091 | $94,498 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $32.45 | $38.26 | $52.32 |
| Yearly | $67,496 | $79,582 | $108,823 | |
| United States | Hourly | $29.79 | $38.78 | $52.53 |
| Yearly | $61,960 | $80,670 | $109,270 | |