Chemical Technicians Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $50,800 -12.1% vs national
Median hourly $24.42
10th percentile $41,300
90th percentile $78,790
Employed locally 40
National median $57,790

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Chemical Technicians
in
San Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,300
    25th
    $43,630
    50th (median)
    $50,800
    75th
    $58,380
    90th
    $78,790

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Technicians salary vs area income 54% Median Chemical Technicians salary is 46% 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 Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Food Science Technicians $50,630
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $133,820
    Forest and Conservation Technicians $61,130
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $101,920
    Urban and Regional Planners $103,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Technicians make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Technicians in San Luis Obispo, CA is $24.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.94 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Chemical Technicians salaries?

    The median Chemical Technicians salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 12.1% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Chemical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $41,300 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,630.