Chemists Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $92,180 +9.5% vs national
Median hourly $44.32
10th percentile $59,690
90th percentile $160,640
Employed locally 70
National median $84,150

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Chemists
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,690
    25th
    $74,340
    50th (median)
    $92,180
    75th
    $126,590
    90th
    $160,640

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 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
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $98,600

    Related occupations in Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$105,750
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$131,170
    Biological Scientists, All Other$111,220
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$100,240
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$95,100
    Urban and Regional Planners$102,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Santa Maria, CA is $44.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.01 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Santa Maria, CA is 9.5% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $59,690 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $74,340.