Chemists Salary in California
Chemists in California earn a median annual wage of $97,860 —7.3% above the national median of $91,240. That ranks CA #16 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.01×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for chemists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $149,860 | $72.05 | 280 | 0.74 |
| 2 | Maryland | $140,670 | $67.63 | 2,480 | 1.69 |
| 3 | Delaware | $129,860 | $62.43 | 1,200 | 4.65 |
| 4 | New Mexico | $126,960 | $61.04 | 280 | 0.61 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $125,000 | $60.09 | 3,430 | 1.77 |
| 6 | Alaska | $106,010 | $50.96 | 60 | 0.35 |
| 7 | Oregon | $104,590 | $50.28 | 730 | 0.70 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $103,890 | $49.95 | 740 | 0.72 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $102,000 | $49.04 | 80 | 0.53 |
| 10 | Colorado | $101,980 | $49.03 | 1,790 | 1.17 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $82,220 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $62,280 |
| Biological Technicians | $71,440 | $57,510 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chemists make in California?
The median annual wage for chemists in California is $97,860, or $47.05 per hour. That is 7.3% above the national median of $91,240.
What is the entry-level chemists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $60,930 per year ($29.29/hour). The 25th percentile is $76,340.
How many people work as chemists in California?
About 9,820 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for chemists?
California ranks #16 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.01x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays chemists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $149,860 per year, followed by Maryland ($140,670) and Delaware ($129,860).