Salary distribution
Where Kentucky chemists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $60,420 and $96,740, with a median of $79,800.
Chemists in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 12 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $78,832. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $54,011 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $76,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 4 | $78,832 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $122,884 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chemists in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalent Pharma Solutions | Quality Control Analyst | 4 | $110,410 |
| Piramal Pharma Solutions Inc. | Formulation Scientist | 2 | $82,128 |
| Clariant Corporation | Senior Lab Scientist | 2 | $78,832 |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | Scientist I. | 1 | $52,021 |
| Murty Pharmaceuticals Inc. | Process Development Chemist | 1 | $64,563 |
| University of Kentucky | Service Core Principal | 1 | $84,866 |
| ADEM Technologies Inc. | Research Scientist | 1 | $78,832 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Scientist I. at UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY$52,021LexingtonWage Level IDecided Jul 3, 2025I-200-25177-132191
- Formulation Scientist at Piramal Pharma Solutions Inc.$88,256LexingtonWage Level IIDecided Jun 5, 2025I-200-25149-028222
- Process Development Chemist at Murty Pharmaceuticals Inc.$64,563LexingtonWage Level IIDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25147-022137
- Quality Control Analyst at Catalent Pharma Solutions$56,000WinchesterWage Level IDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-003776
- Senior Lab Scientist at Clariant Corporation$78,832LouisvilleWage Level IIIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25120-921615
- Competence Center PP CAT Chemist at Clariant Corporation$78,832LouisvilleWage Level IIIDecided May 5, 2025I-200-25118-912829
- Service Core Principal at University of Kentucky$84,866LexingtonWage Level IIIDecided Apr 15, 2025I-200-25098-844107
- Research Scientist at ADEM Technologies Inc.$78,832LOUISVILLEWage Level IIIDecided Dec 4, 2024I-200-24331-501290
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Chemists pay by experience level in Kentucky
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Chemists in Kentucky, by industry
Median offered wage across 12 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $78,832.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Piramal Pharma Solutions Inc. | 6 | $78,832 |
| Professional services | Catalent Pharma Solutions | 4 | $110,410 |
| Education | UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | 2 | $68,444 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Chemistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
- 02
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
- 03
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
- 04
Conduct quality control tests.
- 05
Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
- 06
Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
- 07
Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
- 08
Study effects of various methods of processing, preserving, or packaging on composition or properties of foods.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.8%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Kentucky
Metro-level salary data for chemists in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$77,670
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chemists in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chemists in Kentucky is $79,800.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Chemists?
- The Kentucky median is -9.5% versus the BLS national figure of $88,164.
- What is the salary range for Chemists in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $50,140 and the 90th-percentile at $124,080, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Chemists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.8% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Chemists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.