Chemists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $86,800 +3.1% vs national
Median hourly $41.73
10th percentile $58,240
90th percentile $154,710
Employed locally 30
National median $84,150

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Chemists
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,240
    25th
    $75,670
    50th (median)
    $86,800
    75th
    $120,320
    90th
    $154,710

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 79% Median Chemists salary is 21% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $79,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $144,660
    Urban and Regional Planners $109,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $86,680
    Biological Technicians $59,200
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Santa Cruz, CA is $41.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.29 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 3.1% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $58,240 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,670.