Chemist Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Chemists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $78,770 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,950 take-home, or $5,163 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,499
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,884
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,142
- Indiana income tax$2,294
- Take-home pay$61,950
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.95% state
Chemist pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,170 | $27.97 | $47,233 | $3,936 |
| 25th percentile | $65,140 | $31.32 | $52,628 | $4,386 |
| Median (50th) | $78,770 | $37.87 | $61,950 | $5,163 |
| 75th percentile | $99,870 | $48.01 | $76,172 | $6,348 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,140 | $64.01 | $98,369 | $8,197 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,770 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $61,950 take-home pay has the buying power of $64,737 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Indianapolis, IN has 2.2× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Indianapolis, IN | $78,770 | $61,950 | $64,737 |
*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 Indianapolis, IN?
The median chemist salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $78,770 a year, or about $37.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $65,140 and $99,870.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $78,770 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $61,950 a year ($5,163 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,294 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $64,737 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #22 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $84,990
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $84,820
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $79,310
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $77,130
- Physical Scientists, All Other — $67,000
- Chemical Technician — $62,020
- Occupational Health and Safety Technician — $60,440
- Biological Technician — $59,550