Chemist Salary in Cleveland, OH
Chemists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median $82,020 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,058 take-home, or $5,421 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Cleveland, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,214
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,085
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,189
- Ohio income tax$1,473
- Take-home pay$65,058
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Chemist pay by experience in Cleveland, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,640 | $29.63 | $50,795 | $4,233 |
| 25th percentile | $73,370 | $35.27 | $59,210 | $4,934 |
| Median (50th) | $82,020 | $39.43 | $65,058 | $5,421 |
| 75th percentile | $104,860 | $50.41 | $80,498 | $6,708 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,860 | $61.95 | $96,581 | $8,048 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,020 buys in Cleveland, OH
Prices in Cleveland, OH are 6.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $65,058 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,267 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cleveland, OH has 1.3× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Cleveland, OH ranks #17 of 35 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 | Baltimore, MD | $118,880 | $87,148 | $83,406 |
| 5 | Cincinnati, OH | $96,170 | $74,623 | $78,246 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $127,790 | $89,294 | $77,236 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $94,170 | $73,271 | $76,749 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $105,590 | $79,175 | $75,260 |
| 17 | Cleveland, OH | $82,020 | $65,058 | $69,267 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 35 metros →
Chemist salaries elsewhere in Ohio
- Cincinnati, OH — $96,170
- Columbus, OH — $94,170
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Cleveland, OH?
The median chemist salary in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $82,020 a year, or about $39.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $73,370 and $104,860.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Cleveland, OH?
On the median $82,020 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $65,058 a year ($5,421 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,473 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cleveland, OH a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 6.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,267 would in a typical U.S. city. Cleveland, OH ranks #17 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Cleveland, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cleveland, OH is $1,048 a month ($1,268 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $88,070
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $78,800
- Chemical Technician — $62,080
- Biological Technician — $52,690