Chemists Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $86,060 +2.3% vs national
Median hourly $41.37
10th percentile $57,530
90th percentile $127,970
Employed locally 40
National median $84,150

Compare Chemists salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Chemists
in
San Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,530
    25th
    $68,140
    50th (median)
    $86,060
    75th
    $118,890
    90th
    $127,970

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 92% Median Chemists salary is 8% 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
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $98,600

    Related occupations in San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Food Science Technicians $50,630
    Forest and Conservation Technicians $61,130
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $133,820
    Urban and Regional Planners $103,270
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $101,920

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in San Luis Obispo, CA is $41.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.52 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 2.3% 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 San Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $57,530 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,140.