Chemist salary in Indianapolis, IN
Based on 59 certified H-1B filings in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Carmel, Lebanon, Greenfield, Westfield.
Also listed as: Quality Control Chemist, Analytical Chemist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $93,003 |
| 25th | $102,000 |
| 50th (median) | $132,000 |
| 75th | $160,000 |
| 90th | $177,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $82,826 | $82,826 | $122,013 | 13 |
| FY2021 | $85,197 | $85,197 | $114,929 | 14 |
| FY2022 | $94,000 | $77,250 | $121,331 | 24 |
| FY2023 | $84,995 | $75,941 | $104,500 | 14 |
| FY2024 | $93,371 | $78,562 | $110,000 | 23 |
| FY2025 | $138,170 | $114,748 | $159,989 | 38 |
| FY2026 | $103,000 | $100,526 | $175,000 | 21 |
Cost of living
Indianapolis's median Chemist salary of $132,000 is worth about $137,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Indianapolis = 95.7).
Compared with all workers here
All Chemists in the Indianapolis, IN area earned a median of $78,770 in May 2025 (1,310 employed). The H-1B median here is $132,000, 68% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Eli Lilly and Company | $141,061 | 44 |
| Corteva Agriscience | too few | 8 |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | too few | 2 |
| Midwest Technology Partnership | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 2 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 5 |
| Expert · Level IV | $140,549 | 48 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert · Level IV | $97,781 | $140,549 | 48 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.