Chemists Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Modesto, CA

Median annual salary $81,180 -3.5% vs national
Median hourly $39.03
10th percentile $49,340
90th percentile $120,240
Employed locally 90
National median $84,150

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Chemists
in
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,340
    25th
    $56,380
    50th (median)
    $81,180
    75th
    $106,310
    90th
    $120,240

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 102% Median Chemists salary is 2% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $153,320
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $145,430
    Albuquerque, NM $137,740
    New Mexico $134,370
    Maryland $131,910
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $130,830

    Nearby metros — Chemists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $130,830
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,190
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $109,960
    Decatur, AL $103,360
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $100,720
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $98,600

    Related occupations in Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Food Science Technicians $48,940
    Chemical Technicians $55,310
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $95,320
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $136,180
    Food Scientists and Technologists $81,740
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $83,000

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Modesto?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Modesto, CA is $39.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.77 or more per hour.

    Is Modesto above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Modesto, CA is 3.5% below the national median of $84,150. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemists in Modesto?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $49,340 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,380.