Lab Chemist Salary in Cairo, IL

How much does a Lab Chemist make in Cairo, IL?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Chemist in Cairo, IL is $61,908 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a Lab Chemist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,660
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,283 to $67,536
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,252
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,283 10% $49,252 90% $72,660 75% $67,536 $61,908 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lab Chemist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $67,536 $5,628 $1,299 $32
Average $61,908 $5,159 $1,191 $30
25th Percentile $55,283 $4,607 $1,063 $27
Check out Lab Chemist Job Openings in Cairo, IL
Shift Leader

Pizza Hut - Flynn Group - Cairo, IL

Home Care Aide

A Plus Health Care - Cairo, IL

Dispensary Unarmed Guard

Silver Star Protection Group - Cairo, IL

Part Time Flex Officer

Securitas - Cairo, IL

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Key Factors That Influence Lab Chemist Salaries

A Lab Chemist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lab Chemist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Chemist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $61,494
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $76,262
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $92,421
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $121,202
  • Expert (over 8 years): $141,535
Levels Salary
Lab Chemi... Level Lab Chemist$61,494
Chemist I... Level Lab Chemist$76,262
Chemist I... Level Lab Chemist$92,421
Chemist I... Level Lab Chemist$121,202
Chemist V... Level Lab Chemist$141,535
$61,494 0 yr
$76,262 < 2 yrs
$92,421 2-4 yrs
$121,202 5-8 yrs
$141,535 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Lab Chemists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $83,206
  • San Francisco: $82,295
  • Oakland: $80,561

What Skills Can Increase a Lab Chemist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 12.55% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Analytical Chemistry (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Analytical chemistry studies and uses instruments and methods used to separate, identify, and quantify matter. In practice, separation, identification or quantification may constitute the entire analysis or be combined with another method. Separation isolates analytes. Qualitative analysis identifies analytes, while quantitative analysis determines the numerical amount or concentration. Analytical chemistry consists of classical, wet chemical methods and modern, instrumental methods. Classical qualitative methods use separations such as precipitation, extraction, and distillation. Identification may be based on differences in color, odor, melting point, boiling point, radioactivity or reactivity. Classical quantitative analysis uses mass or volume changes to quantify amount. Instrumental methods may be used to separate samples using chromatography, electrophoresis or field flow fractionation. Then qualitative and quantitative analysis can be performed, often with the same instrument and may use light interaction, heat interaction, electric fields or magnetic fields. Often the same instrument can separate, identify and quantify an analyte.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 1.56% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 12.55%
Analytical Chemistry 2.29%
Quality Assurance 1.56%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lab Chemist's salary.
  • Biochemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Biochemistry
$66,242
7%
Collaboration
$65,623
6%
Decision Making
$65,623
6%
Project Management
$65,623
6%
Authenticity
$65,623
6%
Presentation
$65,623
6%
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Lab Chemist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Chemist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Lab Chemist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Chemist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lab Chemist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$92,862$45.050%
Software & Networking$86,671$42.040%
Biotechnology$80,481$39.030%
Aerospace & Defense$74,290$36.020%
Pharmaceuticals$74,290$36.020%

Lab Chemist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Chemist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Lab Chemist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Chemist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Silver Star Protection Group

    Cairo, IL

    Silver Star Protection Group | Cairo, IL

    Position:Armed Security Guard Location:300 Washington Ave, Cairo, IL 62914 Schedule:Flexible hours, a mix of Morning & Evening Shifts Great for work life b... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Decision Desk HQ

    Cairo, IL

    Decision Desk HQ | Cairo, IL

    Decision Desk HQ is hiring individuals to relay unofficial election results from Illinois' primary election on March 17, 2026.Those hired must arrive at th... more

    3 Days Ago

  • SFS, Inc.

    Cairo, IL

    SFS, Inc. | Cairo, IL

    SFS, Inc. Responsibilities: Review project instructions and client expectations before each assignment. Execute merchandising projects according to client ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • FDM Field Services

    Cairo, IL

    FDM Field Services | Cairo, IL

    Retail Merchandiser. SFS is growing, and we're looking for experienced Retail Merchandisers to join our nationwide network of independent contractors. This... more

    3 Days Ago

  • American Cruise Lines

    Cairo, IL

    American Cruise Lines | Cairo, IL

    Crew Member. American Cruise Lines, the largest U.S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Crew Mem... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Help at Home

    Cairo, IL

    Help at Home | Cairo, IL

    Help at Home - - Responsibilities: Provide light housekeeping and personal care. Transport clients to appointments. Assist clients with meals and dressing.... more

    4 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Cairo, IL

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