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 | $34.60 | $47.99 | $63.23 |
| Yearly | $71,964 | $99,811 | $131,530 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $28.97 | $34.74 | $47.13 |
| Yearly | $60,245 | $72,252 | $98,021 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $34.72 | $48.05 | $62.91 |
| Yearly | $72,224 | $99,941 | $130,853 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $31.36 | $37.62 | $48.36 |
| Yearly | $65,238 | $78,240 | $100,592 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $38.20 | $50.03 | $65.65 |
| Yearly | $79,458 | $104,077 | $136,549 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $30.54 | $47.71 | $61.43 |
| Yearly | $63,513 | $99,234 | $127,760 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $38.73 | $51.50 | $64.60 |
| Yearly | $80,560 | $107,125 | $134,374 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $29.80 | $39.65 | $53.83 |
| Yearly | $61,975 | $82,463 | $111,973 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $42.94 | $60.72 | $76.92 |
| Yearly | $89,307 | $126,288 | $159,979 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $31.26 | $52.61 | $60.56 |
| Yearly | $65,023 | $109,439 | $125,978 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $29.80 | $36.79 | $47.99 |
| Yearly | $61,971 | $76,528 | $99,811 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $30.93 | $45.11 | $48.47 |
| Yearly | $64,331 | $93,836 | $100,831 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $35.59 | $48.05 | $61.57 |
| Yearly | $74,038 | $99,941 | $128,063 | |
| United States | Hourly | $30.74 | $40.46 | $57.79 |
| Yearly | $63,930 | $84,150 | $120,210 | |