Chemist Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Chemists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $78,860 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,509 take-home, or $5,126 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,519
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,889
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,143
- Wisconsin income tax$2,799
- Take-home pay$61,509
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Chemist pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,850 | $28.77 | $48,417 | $4,035 |
| 25th percentile | $67,010 | $32.22 | $53,801 | $4,483 |
| Median (50th) | $78,860 | $37.91 | $61,509 | $5,126 |
| 75th percentile | $101,280 | $48.69 | $76,093 | $6,341 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,850 | $51.37 | $79,716 | $6,643 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,860 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemist's $61,509 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,453 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 Milwaukee, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.01).
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #26 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 |
| 26 | Milwaukee, WI | $78,860 | $61,509 | $63,453 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $78,730
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median chemist salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $78,860 a year, or about $37.91 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,010 and $101,280.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $78,860 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $61,509 a year ($5,126 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,799 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,453 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #26 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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