Chemists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$60,930
- 25th Percentile — Junior$76,340
- 50th Percentile — Median$97,860
- 75th Percentile — Senior$127,790
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$164,150
Half of Chemists in California earn more than $97,860. The top 10% make $164,150 or more, while entry-level workers start around $60,930.
Chemists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 8th of 51 states for Chemists pay, at $106,810 per year (6.3% above the U.S. average of $100,450).
- 9,820 people work as Chemists in California — 11.9% of all U.S. Chemists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.01: Chemists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $60,930; the top 10% earn over $164,150.
- Hourly equivalent: $51.35 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,840.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Chemists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Chemists here earn $106,810 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $106,810 is roughly equivalent to $75,218 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($128,630), Delaware ($122,170), Oregon ($111,320) are the closest alternatives for Chemists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +89.1% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +77.4% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +39.1% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +31.2% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +25.2% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +19.2% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California +15.2% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California +15.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chemists salary in California?
The average Chemists salary in California is $106,810 per year (median $97,860), which is 6.3% above the national average of $100,450.
How does California rank for Chemists pay?
California ranks 8th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($148,840/yr).
How much do entry-level Chemists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chemists in California earn about $60,930 per year and the 25th percentile is $76,340.
How much do Chemists make per hour in California?
About $51.35 per hour, based on the $106,810 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chemists work in California?
BLS counts 9,820 Chemists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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