US
Cleveland, OH
Ohio salary market
$84.4K
Avg / Year
Near national
vs National
850
Employment
$7.0K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Chemist Salary in Cleveland, OH (2026)

The Chemist salary in Cleveland, OH for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Cleveland, OH market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Cleveland, OH city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$84.4K
per year
Entry Level
$66.3K
starting range
Senior Level
$108K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$86.1K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$7.0K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$38
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Chemist Salary Overview in Cleveland, OH

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Chemist pay in Cleveland, OH at about $84,370.0 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $61,450.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $124,850.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Cleveland, Oh metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Chemist salaries in Cleveland, OH, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Cleveland, OH vs. U.S. National Average

Cleveland, OH pays near national for Chemist roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$84.2K
all U.S. markets combined
+0%
Cleveland, OH Premium
Cleveland, OH City Average
$84.4K
Chemist
MarketProjected Salaryvs Cleveland, OHMarket Maturity
Cleveland, OH (this guide)$84,370.0BaselineLocal market
United States$84,150.0Near nationalNational baseline
Dayton, OH$99,270.0+18% vs U.S.Comparable city
Columbus, OH$96,700.0+15% vs U.S.Comparable city
Sandusky, OH$83,390.0-1% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Cleveland, OH pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Chemist Salary by Experience Level in Cleveland, OH

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Cleveland, OH, this breakdown shows how aChemist can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$74.0K
$41/hr median equivalent
$66.3K - $84.4K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$84.4K
$41/hr median equivalent
$74.0K - $108K
Senior
6-10 years
$108K
$41/hr median equivalent
$84.4K - $135K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$135K
$41/hr median equivalent
$108K - $164K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Chemist0-2 years$74,038.0$66,273.0 - $84,370.0-12% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Chemist3-5 years$84,370.0$74,038.0 - $107,903Near national
Senior Chemist6-10 years$107,903$84,370.0 - $134,649+28% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Chemist10+ years$134,649$107,903 - $164,272+60% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Cleveland, OH

Nearby metro areas help show how Chemist pay changes around Cleveland, OH. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Cleveland, OH
$84.4K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Cleveland, Oh metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Dayton, OH
$99.3K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Chemist salaries around Cleveland, OH.
+18% vs U.S.
#3
Columbus, OH
$96.7K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Chemist salaries around Cleveland, OH.
+15% vs U.S.
#4
Sandusky, OH
$83.4K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Chemist salaries around Cleveland, OH.
-1% vs U.S.
#5
Cincinnati, OH
$82.1K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Chemist salaries around Cleveland, OH.
-3% vs U.S.

Chemist Salary by Industry in Cleveland, OH

Industry premiums in Cleveland, OH usually come from employers that place the Chemist role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction$123,120$72,380.0 - $194,230Stronger salary
Utilities$109,060$79,180.0 - $139,810Stronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$106,040$76,070.0 - $165,230Stronger salary
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$105,560$60,920.0 - $174,890Competitive
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$100,870$57,970.0 - $171,910Competitive
Transportation and Warehousing$95,800.0$65,660.0 - $102,230Competitive
Wholesale Trade$87,200.0$58,200.0 - $155,690Competitive
Manufacturing$83,370.0$57,910.0 - $137,020Competitive

Entry-Level Chemist Salary in Cleveland, OH

Entry-level Chemist jobs in Cleveland, OH are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Chemist salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Chemist roles in Cleveland, OH is about $74,038.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Chemist Pay in Cleveland, OH

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Chemist candidates in Cleveland, OH. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$84,370.0
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$86,057.4
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$82,682.6Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$86,057.4Metro dependentCleveland, OH employersMedium
Onsite$84,370.0Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Cleveland, OH

A salary in Cleveland, OH should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.1K
$1.5K
$2.0K
Transport / commute
$246.1
$281.2
$316.4
Food and groceries
$527.3
$562.5
$632.8
Utilities and internet
$246.1
$281.2
$316.4
Estimated remainder
$2.4K
$3.7K
$4.5K
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Top Employers Hiring Chemists in Cleveland, OH

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Chemist pay tends to be strongest in Cleveland, OH, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction employers
$123K
Industry benchmark for Chemist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Utilities employers
$109K
Industry benchmark for Chemist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$106K
Industry benchmark for Chemist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$106K
Industry benchmark for Chemist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$101K
Industry benchmark for Chemist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Transportation and Warehousing employers
$95.8K
Industry benchmark for Chemist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Cleveland, OH Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherCleveland, OH is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Chemist work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Cleveland, OH
This guide
$84.4K
Baseline
Dayton, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$99.3K
+18% vs U.S.
Columbus, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$96.7K
+15% vs U.S.
Sandusky, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$83.4K
-1% vs U.S.
Cincinnati, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$82.1K
-3% vs U.S.
Akron, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$76.5K
-9% vs U.S.
Canton, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$74.4K
-12% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Cleveland, OH

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$48.8K - $65.6K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$60.6K - $79.9K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$75.7K - $94.2K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$90.9K - $118K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$108K - $136K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$126K - $173K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 4.9% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 6.3 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment86.8k → 91k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor850 jobs with a median of $84,370.0

Factors Affecting Chemist Salary in Cleveland, OH

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Chemist Salary in Cleveland, OH

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Chemist Salary in Cleveland, OH: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Chemist" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Chemist in Cleveland, OHs salary?
The latest national baseline for Chemists is about $84,200 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Chemist in Cleveland, OHs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Chemists are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $53,200 per year nationally.
How much can senior Chemist in Cleveland, OHs professionals earn?
Senior Chemists estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $120,200 per year nationally.
Does location affect Chemist in Cleveland, OHs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Chemist in Cleveland, OHs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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