Chemical Engineers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$120,122
- 25th Percentile — Junior$149,504
- 50th Percentile — Median$177,557
- 75th Percentile — Senior$215,616
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$238,915
Half of Chemical Engineers in California earn more than $177,557. The top 10% make $238,915 or more, while entry-level workers start around $120,122.
Chemical Engineers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- California ranks 3rd of 51 states for Chemical Engineers pay, at $184,572 per year (42.0% above the U.S. average of $129,980).
- 2,190 people work as Chemical Engineers in California — 10.4% of all U.S. Chemical Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.89: Chemical Engineers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $120,122; the top 10% earn over $238,915.
- Hourly equivalent: $88.74 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $201,469.
- Among engineering jobs in California, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($190,590).
Chemical Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Chemical Engineers here earn $184,572 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $184,572 is roughly equivalent to $129,980 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($201,469), District of Columbia ($197,570), New Mexico ($147,420) are the closest alternatives for Chemical Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Computer Hardware Engineers $190,590/yr California +3.3% vs this role
- Nuclear Engineers $160,980/yr California 12.8% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $159,960/yr California 13.3% vs this role
- Agricultural Engineers $153,687/yr California 16.7% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $151,180/yr California 18.1% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $147,940/yr California 19.8% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $139,670/yr California 24.3% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $136,660/yr California 26.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chemical Engineers salary in California?
The average Chemical Engineers salary in California is $184,572 per year (median $177,557), which is 42.0% above the national average of $129,980.
How does California rank for Chemical Engineers pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($201,469/yr).
How much do entry-level Chemical Engineers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chemical Engineers in California earn about $120,122 per year and the 25th percentile is $149,504.
How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in California?
About $88.74 per hour, based on the $184,572 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chemical Engineers work in California?
BLS counts 2,190 Chemical Engineers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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