Chemical Technicians Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $53,090 -8.1% vs national
Median hourly $25.52
10th percentile $41,600
90th percentile $81,610
Employed locally 810
National median $57,790

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Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Chemical Technicians
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,600
    25th
    $45,190
    50th (median)
    $53,090
    75th
    $66,210
    90th
    $81,610

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Technicians salary vs area income 52% Median Chemical Technicians salary is 48% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Dothan, AL $128,190
    Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area $88,990
    New Orleans-Metairie, LA $88,800
    Baton Rouge, LA $86,360
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $83,530
    Louisiana $83,480

    Nearby metros — Chemical Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area $88,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $68,000
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $65,000
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $63,200
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $62,520
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $61,670

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Technicians make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Technicians in San Diego, CA is $25.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.94 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Chemical Technicians salaries?

    The median Chemical Technicians salary in San Diego, CA is 8.1% below the national median of $57,790. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Technicians in San Diego?

    Entry-level Chemical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $41,600 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,190.