Chemistry Professors Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$78,450
- 25th Percentile — Junior$102,980
- 50th Percentile — Median$132,960
- 75th Percentile — Senior$188,810
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$278,510
Half of Chemistry Professors in California earn more than $132,960. The top 10% make $278,510 or more, while entry-level workers start around $78,450.
Chemistry Professors in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 48 states for Chemistry Professors pay, at $154,490 per year (46.8% above the U.S. average of $105,210).
- 1,650 people work as Chemistry Professors in California — 8.3% of all U.S. Chemistry Professors jobs.
- Location quotient 0.71: Chemistry Professors jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,450; the top 10% earn over $278,510.
- Hourly equivalent: $74.27 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among education jobs in California, Biological Science Professors pays the most ($146,810).
Chemistry Professors Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Chemistry Professors here earn $154,490 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $154,490 is roughly equivalent to $108,796 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Massachusetts ($130,570), Delaware ($123,060), Minnesota ($122,920) are the closest alternatives for Chemistry Professors weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Education Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Biological Science Professors $146,810/yr California 5.0% vs this role
- Mathematical Science Professors $141,340/yr California 8.5% vs this role
- Business Professors $140,670/yr California 8.9% vs this role
- Computer Science Professors $137,170/yr California 11.2% vs this role
- English Language Professors $134,950/yr California 12.6% vs this role
- Education Professors $113,870/yr California 26.3% vs this role
- Secondary School Teachers $105,880/yr California 31.5% vs this role
- Special Education Teachers $101,160/yr California 34.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chemistry Professors salary in California?
The average Chemistry Professors salary in California is $154,490 per year (median $132,960), which is 46.8% above the national average of $105,210.
How does California rank for Chemistry Professors pay?
California ranks 1st out of 48 states. The highest-paying state is California ($154,490/yr).
How much do entry-level Chemistry Professors make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chemistry Professors in California earn about $78,450 per year and the 25th percentile is $102,980.
How much do Chemistry Professors make per hour in California?
About $74.27 per hour, based on the $154,490 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chemistry Professors work in California?
BLS counts 1,650 Chemistry Professors jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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