Chemists in California
Thinking about a career as a Chemists in California? Here’s what you need to know. Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge. Excludes “Biochemists and Biophysicists” (19-1021) and “Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers” (19-2042).
What do Chemists Make in California?
For chemists working in California, the median annual wage is $97,010 per year (or about $46.64/hour).Earnings range from $58,750 at the 10th percentile to $164,640 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| 25th percentile | $74,060 | $35.61 |
| Median (50th) | $97,010 | $46.64 |
| 75th percentile | $128,060 | $61.57 |
| 90th percentile | $164,640 | $79.15 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 0.87, meaning fewer chemists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, chemists earn a median of $59,779 per year ($28.74/hour), higher than the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 88,892 chemists across the United States. In California alone, around 8,480 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 750 chemists.
Top California Metros for Chemists
The largest metro-area employers of chemists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,700 | $82,370 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 2,040 | $126,190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,110 | $98,600 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 500 | $109,960 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 400 | $88,590 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 350 | $83,540 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 190 | $90,660 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 180 | $79,140 |
| Fresno, CA | 100 | $69,480 |
| Modesto, CA | 90 | $81,180 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 90 | $80,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 70 | $92,180 |
| Napa, CA | 60 | $83,190 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 60 | $79,850 |
| Vallejo, CA | 60 | $97,300 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 30 | $86,800 |
Top States for Chemists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most chemists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 9,070 |
| California | 8,480 |
| New Jersey | 6,210 |
| Texas | 5,490 |
| North Carolina | 5,140 |
| New York | 4,040 |
| Ohio | 4,020 |
| Massachusetts | 3,340 |
| Illinois | 3,250 |
| Michigan | 3,200 |
| Maryland | 3,000 |
| Indiana | 2,070 |
| Wisconsin | 1,990 |
| Colorado | 1,820 |
| Washington | 1,780 |
| Missouri | 1,750 |
| Florida | 1,660 |
| Virginia | 1,340 |
| Minnesota | 1,320 |
| Delaware | 1,180 |
Highest-Paying States for Chemists
These states pay the most for chemists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $153,320 |
| New Mexico | $134,370 |
| Maryland | $131,910 |
| Massachusetts | $126,970 |
| Delaware | $125,430 |
| Louisiana | $109,150 |
| West Virginia | $108,010 |
| Texas | $101,260 |
| Virginia | $99,810 |
| Colorado | $97,380 |
Skills
Key chemists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for chemists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, chemists typically:
- Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
- Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
- Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
- Conduct quality control tests.
- Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
- Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
- Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
- Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
- Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
- Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.
- Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.
- Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Processing Information
- Working with Computers
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: C, C++ In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Chemistry
- Materials Sciences
- Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Related Careers
Related occupations to chemists include:
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Industrial Engineers
- Materials Engineers
- Nanosystems Engineers
Also Known As
Agricultural Chemist, Air Quality Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Analytical Scientist, Assay Development Scientist, Astrochemist, Bench Chemist, Bench Scientist, Ceramic Chemist, Cereal Chemist, Chemical Analyst, Chemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist), Chemist, Chemistry Scientist, Coal Chemist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-2031.00
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