Chemist Salary in Chicago, IL
Chemists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $90,920 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $68,436 take-home, or $5,703 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,172
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,637
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,318
- Illinois income tax$4,356
- Take-home pay$68,436
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chemist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,330 | $29.97 | $49,322 | $4,110 |
| 25th percentile | $72,950 | $35.07 | $56,684 | $4,724 |
| Median (50th) | $90,920 | $43.71 | $68,436 | $5,703 |
| 75th percentile | $123,290 | $59.27 | $89,577 | $7,465 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,930 | $70.16 | $103,930 | $8,661 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $90,920 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $68,436 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,062 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chemist jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #5 of 7 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $144,680 | $100,825 | $92,599 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $127,290 | $92,124 | $85,091 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $106,740 | $83,922 | $85,088 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $95,440 | $73,042 | $71,223 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $90,920 | $68,436 | $66,062 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $85,150 | $64,732 | $57,507 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $87,060 | $65,078 | $57,304 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 7 metros →
About the job: chemists
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Chicago, IL?
The median chemist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $90,920 a year, or about $43.71 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $72,950 and $123,290.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $90,920 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $68,436 a year ($5,703 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,356 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,062 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #5 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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