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.

$61.44Median hourly pay
$96,100–$160,810Middle half of workers, yearly
2,180People in this job in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)

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 thanHourlyYearly
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 areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (this page)$127,7902,180
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$114,890580
Bakersfield-Delano$97,570190
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$95,84070
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$127,210

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.