Chemists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $98,600 +17.2% vs national
Median hourly $47.40
10th percentile $59,700
90th percentile $156,840
Employed locally 1,110
National median $84,150

Compare Chemists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Chemists
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,700
    25th
    $74,430
    50th (median)
    $98,600
    75th
    $127,680
    90th
    $156,840

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 96% Median Chemists salary is 4% below 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
    Vallejo, CA $97,300

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in San Diego, CA is $47.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.27 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in San Diego, CA is 17.2% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $59,700 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $74,430.