Chemical Engineers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Chemical Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $135,610 a year, or about $65.2 an hour. Entry-level workers start around $90K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $122,813 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 43.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $136K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About chemical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level chemical engineers (10th percentile) start around $90K. Mid-career wages sit at $136K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Chemical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $161K | +32% | 190 |
| New Mexico | $147K | +21% | 80 |
| West Virginia | $140K | +15% | 210 |
| Texas | $135K | +11% | 2,780 |
| Virginia | $133K | +9% | 1,020 |
| New York | $132K | +9% | 560 |
| Delaware | $131K | +8% | 390 |
| Louisiana | $131K | +8% | 780 |
| Washington | $131K | +7% | 600 |
| Maryland | $130K | +6% | 560 |
| North Dakota | $128K | +5% | 60 |
| Arizona | $125K | +3% | 170 |
| Illinois | $120K | -1% | 490 |
| Massachusetts | $119K | -2% | 1,140 |
| New Jersey | $118K | -3% | 480 |
Track chemical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical engineers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $135,610 a year - that works out to about $65.2 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $89,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $136K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,891/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chemical engineers salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical engineers salary is worth about $122,813 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.