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 | $31.56 | $40.61 | $52.28 |
| Yearly | $65,632 | $84,463 | $108,761 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $26.13 | $30.42 | $39.97 |
| Yearly | $54,360 | $63,264 | $83,140 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $32.27 | $40.65 | $51.81 |
| Yearly | $67,126 | $84,541 | $107,749 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $32.05 | $39.25 | $48.14 |
| Yearly | $66,659 | $81,656 | $100,133 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $32.38 | $40.07 | $50.80 |
| Yearly | $67,359 | $83,335 | $105,664 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $36.62 | $50.80 | $63.97 |
| Yearly | $76,161 | $105,663 | $133,052 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $29.47 | $41.09 | $54.23 |
| Yearly | $61,299 | $85,467 | $112,793 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $35.21 | $44.19 | $62.24 |
| Yearly | $73,242 | $91,926 | $129,461 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $30.56 | $48.98 | $65.22 |
| Yearly | $63,571 | $101,862 | $135,671 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $29.75 | $36.68 | $47.36 |
| Yearly | $61,879 | $76,289 | $98,501 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $38.96 | $38.96 | $49.98 |
| Yearly | $81,029 | $81,029 | $103,957 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $34.22 | $46.31 | $54.96 |
| Yearly | $71,178 | $96,325 | $114,330 | |
| United States | Hourly | $31.22 | $40.71 | $57.12 |
| Yearly | $64,940 | $84,680 | $118,800 | |