Chemists pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA), the median pay for chemists is $45.75 an hour ($95,160 a year). About 1,370 people work in this job there.

$45.75Median hourly pay
$72,550–$127,980Middle half of workers, yearly
1,370People in this job in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

That is 4% higher than the U.S. median ($91,240). It is 3% lower than the California median ($97,860).

Pay range for chemists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$29.57$61,500
25% of workers$34.88$72,550
Half of workers (median)$45.75$95,160
75% of workers$61.53$127,980
90% of workers$76.27$158,650

Chemists pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$127,7902,180
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$114,890580
Bakersfield-Delano$97,570190
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$95,84070
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (this page)$95,1601,370
Salinas$95,08030
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$92,660480
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$92,24080
Napa$89,18050
Visalia$87,57030
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$87,0603,190
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles$86,06040
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$85,930110
Modesto$83,12090
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$82,960220
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$82,400400
Vallejo$81,470130
Stockton-Lodi$80,08070
Fresno$73,470120

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for chemists

  • Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
  • Job outlook: +6.4% over ten years, faster than average · about 5,900 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$106,100

Other job titles for this job

Pharmaceutical ScientistQC ScientistChemistChemistry ScientistFormulation ScientistAstrochemistAgricultural ChemistAir Quality ChemistAnalytical ChemistAnalytical ScientistAssay Development ScientistBench Chemist

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.