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 | $27.19 | $35.00 | $48.35 |
| Yearly | $56,562 | $72,803 | $100,573 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $24.14 | $28.94 | $37.03 |
| Yearly | $50,204 | $60,201 | $77,023 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $28.34 | $37.06 | $50.46 |
| Yearly | $58,958 | $77,093 | $104,950 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $24.84 | $28.28 | $33.75 |
| Yearly | $51,666 | $58,822 | $70,201 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $27.09 | $34.77 | $45.44 |
| Yearly | $56,341 | $72,318 | $94,510 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $28.78 | $33.66 | $39.10 |
| Yearly | $59,854 | $70,002 | $81,324 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $25.09 | $29.96 | $36.22 |
| Yearly | $52,189 | $62,319 | $75,334 | |
| Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $17.25 | $19.92 | $29.54 |
| Yearly | $35,887 | $41,437 | $61,436 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $29.21 | $42.42 | $56.14 |
| Yearly | $60,754 | $88,226 | $116,766 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $40.37 | $56.79 | $69.10 |
| Yearly | $83,971 | $118,129 | $143,726 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $22.49 | $25.03 | $44.26 |
| Yearly | $46,780 | $52,060 | $92,069 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $30.64 | $36.20 | $45.30 |
| Yearly | $63,740 | $75,292 | $94,221 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $27.91 | $34.30 | $41.32 |
| Yearly | $58,049 | $71,346 | $85,951 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $24.84 | $31.72 | $54.96 |
| Yearly | $51,672 | $65,970 | $114,313 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $29.66 | $35.01 | $45.50 |
| Yearly | $61,693 | $72,829 | $94,644 | |
| United States | Hourly | $27.92 | $38.13 | $52.11 |
| Yearly | $58,070 | $79,300 | $108,390 | |