Chemist Salary in Columbus, OH
Chemists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median $94,170 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,271 take-home, or $6,106 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$11,887
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,839
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,365
- Ohio income tax$1,807
- Take-home pay$73,271
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Chemist pay by experience in Columbus, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,600 | $29.13 | $49,988 | $4,166 |
| 25th percentile | $71,850 | $34.54 | $58,183 | $4,849 |
| Median (50th) | $94,170 | $45.27 | $73,271 | $6,106 |
| 75th percentile | $121,300 | $58.32 | $91,611 | $7,634 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,820 | $64.82 | $100,490 | $8,374 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $94,170 buys in Columbus, OH
Prices in Columbus, OH are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $73,271 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,749 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbus, OH has 2.0× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Columbus, OH ranks #7 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 |
*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
- Cleveland, OH — $82,020
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Columbus, OH?
The median chemist salary in the Columbus, OH metro area is $94,170 a year, or about $45.27 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,850 and $121,300.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Columbus, OH?
On the median $94,170 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $73,271 a year ($6,106 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,807 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, OH a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,749 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, OH ranks #7 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Columbus, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, OH is $1,179 a month ($1,416 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.