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 | $35.17 | $42.13 | $60.94 |
| Yearly | $73,152 | $87,616 | $126,741 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $27.92 | $33.27 | $47.73 |
| Yearly | $58,082 | $69,198 | $99,277 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $36.60 | $42.62 | $63.53 |
| Yearly | $76,116 | $88,660 | $132,132 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $35.45 | $44.08 | $60.46 |
| Yearly | $73,718 | $91,689 | $125,757 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $32.28 | $39.71 | $47.30 |
| Yearly | $67,139 | $82,595 | $98,377 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $39.83 | $52.48 | $68.10 |
| Yearly | $82,848 | $109,151 | $141,650 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $36.13 | $42.20 | $60.94 |
| Yearly | $75,160 | $87,777 | $126,744 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $31.82 | $40.27 | $54.86 |
| Yearly | $66,187 | $83,764 | $114,125 | |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $38.09 | $40.62 | $47.80 |
| Yearly | $79,218 | $84,481 | $99,427 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $33.32 | $41.39 | $63.40 |
| Yearly | $69,301 | $86,089 | $131,871 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $36.57 | $48.17 | $73.85 |
| Yearly | $76,060 | $100,197 | $153,610 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $38.51 | $53.39 | $65.62 |
| Yearly | $80,087 | $111,059 | $136,474 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $30.76 | $36.70 | $38.87 |
| Yearly | $63,980 | $76,341 | $80,844 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $35.58 | $41.51 | $52.18 |
| Yearly | $74,004 | $86,339 | $108,545 | |
| St Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $35.58 | $37.43 | $40.45 |
| Yearly | $74,004 | $77,853 | $84,133 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $35.46 | $39.28 | $47.73 |
| Yearly | $73,751 | $81,696 | $99,284 | |
| United States | Hourly | $33.39 | $43.87 | $60.36 |
| Yearly | $69,460 | $91,240 | $125,550 | |