Chemists Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 20 metro areas • California
Chemists in California earn a median salary of $88,905 per year on average across 20 metro and nonmetro areas, +5.7% vs the national median of $84,150. An estimated 8,160 chemists are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $69,480 to $126,190 depending on location.
$88,905
Avg median salary in California
$126,190
Highest paying metro
$69,480
Lowest paying metro
8,160
Employed in California
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Chemists salaries by city in California
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $126,190 | $89,990 | $159,070 | 2,040 |
| San Jose, CA | $109,960 | $87,190 | $149,280 | 500 |
| San Diego, CA | $98,600 | $74,430 | $127,680 | 1,110 |
| Vallejo, CA | $97,300 | $75,320 | $117,990 | 60 |
| Salinas, CA | $95,080 | $80,580 | $138,220 | 30 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $92,180 | $74,340 | $126,590 | 70 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $90,660 | $60,110 | $123,360 | 190 |
| Riverside, CA | $88,590 | $68,380 | $105,110 | 400 |
| Visalia, CA | $87,570 | $61,670 | $109,180 | 30 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $86,800 | $75,670 | $120,320 | 30 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $86,060 | $68,140 | $118,890 | 40 |
| Sacramento, CA | $83,540 | $64,790 | $104,270 | 350 |
| Napa, CA | $83,190 | $66,580 | $106,400 | 60 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,370 | $70,600 | $111,700 | 2,700 |
| Modesto, CA | $81,180 | $56,380 | $106,310 | 90 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $80,610 | $63,590 | $100,010 | 90 |
| Stockton, CA | $79,850 | $64,390 | $106,560 | 60 |
| North Coast Region of California | $79,750 | $64,350 | $98,270 | 30 |
| Oxnard, CA | $79,140 | $60,840 | $99,740 | 180 |
| Fresno, CA | $69,480 | $49,480 | $90,720 | 100 |