Chemists Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $88,590 +5.3% vs national
Median hourly $42.59
10th percentile $53,510
90th percentile $125,940
Employed locally 400
National median $84,150

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Chemists
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Riverside, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $53,510
    25th
    $68,380
    50th (median)
    $88,590
    75th
    $105,110
    90th
    $125,940

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 103% Median Chemists salary is 3% 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 Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $92,230
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $57,610
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,890
    School Psychologists $124,200
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $96,390
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $96,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Riverside, CA is $42.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.84 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Riverside, CA is 5.3% above 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $53,510 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,380.