Chemical Technicians Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $57,390 -0.7% vs national
Median hourly $27.59
10th percentile $46,710
90th percentile $82,330
Employed locally 40
National median $57,790

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Chemical Technicians
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,710
    25th
    $48,160
    50th (median)
    $57,390
    75th
    $60,500
    90th
    $82,330

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Technicians salary vs area income 53% Median Chemical Technicians salary is 47% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $79,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $144,660
    Urban and Regional Planners $109,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $86,680
    Biological Technicians $59,200
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Technicians make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Technicians in Santa Cruz, CA is $27.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.58 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Chemical Technicians salaries?

    The median Chemical Technicians salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 0.7% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Chemical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $46,710 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,160.