Chemists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $126,190 +50% vs national
Median hourly $60.67
10th percentile $71,180
90th percentile $175,250
Employed locally 2,040
National median $84,150

Compare Chemists salary & buying power

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

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Chemists
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $71,180
    25th
    $89,990
    50th (median)
    $126,190
    75th
    $159,070
    90th
    $175,250

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 94% Median Chemists salary is 6% 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 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
    Vallejo, CA $97,300

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $142,540
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,670
    Biological Technicians $79,270
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $160,210
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $80,100
    Biochemists and Biophysicists $140,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in San Francisco, CA is $60.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $93.62 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in San Francisco, CA is 50% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $71,180 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $89,990.