California ranks 13th of 51 states and D.C. for chemists pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($153,320) by $56,310 — a 58% gap.
California employs roughly 10.2% of all chemists in the country (8,480 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| 25th percentile | $74,060 | $35.61 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $97,010 | $46.64 |
| 75th percentile | $128,060 | $61.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,640 | $79.15 |
| Mean (average) | $105,500 | $50.72 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $97,010 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $153,320 | +58% |
| New Mexico | $134,370 | +39% |
| Maryland | $131,910 | +36% |
| Massachusetts | $126,970 | +31% |
| Delaware | $125,430 | +29% |
| Louisiana | $109,150 | +13% |
| West Virginia | $108,010 | +11% |
| Texas | $101,260 | +4% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, All Other | $96,950 | 11,110 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,080 | 72,660 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $96,920 | 11,030 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $96,820 | 46,530 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,520 | 13,200 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $96,360 | 173,370 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chemists salary in California?
The mean chemists salary in California is $105,500 per year. The median (middle) salary is $97,010 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chemists in California?
Entry-level chemistss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $58,750 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $74,060 per year.
What is the highest Chemists salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $164,640 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $128,060 per year.
How does the California Chemists salary compare to the national average?
The median chemists salary in California is $97,010, which is +15% above national average of $84,150.