Chemists Salary in Salinas, CA

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

Median annual salary $95,080 +13% vs national
Median hourly $45.71
10th percentile $61,070
90th percentile $156,350
Employed locally 30
National median $84,150

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Chemists
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,070
    25th
    $80,580
    50th (median)
    $95,080
    75th
    $138,220
    90th
    $156,350

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 101% Median Chemists salary is 1% 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 Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Forest and Conservation Technicians $64,020
    Urban and Regional Planners $104,290
    School Psychologists $126,730
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $89,760
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $138,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Salinas?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Salinas, CA is $45.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.17 or more per hour.

    Is Salinas above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Salinas, CA is 13% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $61,070 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,580.