Chemists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $109,960 +30.7% vs national
Median hourly $52.87
10th percentile $67,760
90th percentile $189,880
Employed locally 500
National median $84,150

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Chemists
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San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $67,760
    25th
    $87,190
    50th (median)
    $109,960
    75th
    $149,280
    90th
    $189,880

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 70% Median Chemists salary is 30% 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
    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 Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $155,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $132,230
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,630
    Biological Technicians $71,920
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,520
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $75,670

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in San Jose, CA is $52.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $88.75 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in San Jose, CA is 30.7% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $67,760 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $87,190.