Chemist Salary in Detroit, MI
Chemists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median $85,770 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,775 take-home, or $5,481 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Detroit, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,039
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,318
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,244
- Michigan income tax$3,394
- Take-home pay$65,775
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.25% state
Chemist pay by experience in Detroit, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,920 | $30.25 | $50,313 | $4,193 |
| 25th percentile | $68,530 | $32.95 | $54,379 | $4,532 |
| Median (50th) | $85,770 | $41.24 | $65,775 | $5,481 |
| 75th percentile | $124,920 | $60.06 | $91,590 | $7,633 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,540 | $81.99 | $120,833 | $10,069 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $85,770 buys in Detroit, MI
Prices in Detroit, MI are 0.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 5% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $65,775 take-home pay has the buying power of $65,579 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Detroit, MI has 1.2× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Detroit, MI ranks #20 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 |
| 20 | Detroit, MI | $85,770 | $65,775 | $65,579 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 35 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Detroit, MI?
The median chemist salary in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $85,770 a year, or about $41.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $68,530 and $124,920.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Detroit, MI?
On the median $85,770 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $65,775 a year ($5,481 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,394 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 0.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $65,579 would in a typical U.S. city. Detroit, MI ranks #20 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Detroit, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Detroit, MI is $1,128 a month ($1,413 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Detroit, MI
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $91,610
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $88,080
- School Psychologist — $85,050
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $84,310
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $74,300
- Chemical Technician — $49,460