Salary distribution
Where Missouri chemists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $61,840 and $119,880, with a median of $81,720.
Chemists in Missouri: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 25 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $77,277. 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 | 10 | $62,560 |
| Level II — qualified | 10 | $82,659 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $119,849 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $117,571 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chemists in Missouri. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University | Postdoctoral Research Associate | 5 | $63,120 |
| The Curators of the University of Missouri | Postdoctoral Fellow | 3 | $61,273 |
| Spogen Biotech Inc | Research Scientist II - Formulation | 2 | $90,316 |
| API Innovation Center | Senior Process Chemist | 2 | $85,002 |
| Sigma-Aldrich Manufacturing LLC | Senior Associate Scientist | 2 | $72,330 |
| Belcan Services Group LTD Partnership | Fermentation Technician | 1 | $82,659 |
| MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC | Sr. Formulations Scientist | 1 | $124,575 |
| Parker Americas Inc. | Lab Technician / Jr. Chemist | 1 | $55,723 |
| Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institute | Research Scientist | 1 | $55,099 |
| Bunge North America, Inc. | Analytical Chemist | 1 | $77,277 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Research Scientist II - Formulation at Spogen Biotech Inc$100,131St. LouisDecided Dec 26, 2025I-200-25352-494069
- Validation Engineer at The Curators of the University of Missouri$90,000ColumbiaDecided Dec 1, 2025I-200-25325-429213
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University$63,120St LouisWage Level IDecided Sep 26, 2025I-200-25262-321122
- Senior Process Chemist at API Innovation Center$85,002St. LouisWage Level IIDecided Sep 2, 2025I-200-25237-265011
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University$63,120St LouisWage Level IDecided Aug 27, 2025I-200-25232-255254
- Senior Process Chemist at API Innovation Center$85,002St. LouisWage Level IIDecided Jul 8, 2025I-200-25181-143773
- Fermentation Technician at Belcan Services Group LTD Partnership$82,659ChesterfieldWage Level IIDecided Jun 27, 2025I-200-25171-114953
- Sr. Formulations Scientist at MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC$124,575Webster GrovesWage Level IVDecided Jun 13, 2025I-200-25157-064067
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 Missouri
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 specialties in Missouri
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 8 certified offers. The most common variant is Staff Scientist at a median of $60,235.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Scientist | Washington University | 5 | $60,235 |
| Senior Process Chemist | API Innovation Center | 3 | $85,002 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Chemists in Missouri, by industry
Median offered wage across 25 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $63,120.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Washington University | 9 | $63,120 |
| Manufacturing | API Innovation Center | 8 | $85,426 |
| Professional services | Sigma-Aldrich Manufacturing LLC | 6 | $72,330 |
| Finance and insurance | Bunge North America, Inc. | 1 | $77,277 |
| Energy and utilities | US Strategic Metals | 1 | $65,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Missouri 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 Missouri
Metro-level salary data for chemists in major Missouri metropolitan areas.
- St. Louis$95,060
- Kansas City$73,650
Compare Chemists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chemists in Missouri?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chemists in Missouri is $81,720.
- How does Missouri compare to the national median for Chemists?
- The Missouri median is -7.3% versus the BLS national figure of $88,164.
- What is the salary range for Chemists in Missouri?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $50,280 and the 90th-percentile at $151,640, 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.