Chemists pay in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont
In San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA), the median pay for chemists is $61.44 an hour ($127,790 a year). About 2,180 people work in this job there.
That is 40% higher than the U.S. median ($91,240). It is 31% higher than the California median ($97,860).
Pay range for chemists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $36.59 | $76,110 |
| 25% of workers | $46.20 | $96,100 |
| Half of workers (median) | $61.44 | $127,790 |
| 75% of workers | $77.31 | $160,810 |
| 90% of workers | $93.62 | $194,730 |
Chemists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (this page) | $127,790 | 2,180 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $114,890 | 580 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $97,570 | 190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $95,840 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $95,160 | 1,370 |
| Salinas | $95,080 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $92,660 | 480 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $92,240 | 80 |
| Napa | $89,180 | 50 |
| Visalia | $87,570 | 30 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $87,060 | 3,190 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $86,060 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $85,930 | 110 |
| Modesto | $83,120 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $82,960 | 220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $82,400 | 400 |
| Vallejo | $81,470 | 130 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $80,080 | 70 |
| Fresno | $73,470 | 120 |
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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $127,210 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: 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.