Chemical Technicians Salary in California
Chemical Technicians in California make a median of $56,620 a year, or about $27.22 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $89K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $57K get you in California?
About chemical technicians
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level chemical technicians (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $89K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Chemical Technicians salary by metro in California
17 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $68K | +20% | 1,210 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $62K | +9% | 460 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $59K | +4% | 230 |
| Vallejo | $58K | +3% | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $56K | -1% | 70 |
| Modesto | $55K | -2% | 150 |
| Napa | $54K | -5% | 90 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $53K | -6% | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $53K | -6% | 810 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $51K | -10% | 2,020 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $51K | -10% | 140 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $51K | -10% | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $49K | -13% | 380 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $48K | -15% | 80 |
| Visalia | $48K | -15% | 60 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $47K | -16% | 120 |
| Fresno | $46K | -19% | 130 |
Showing 1–10 of 17 metros
Compare to other states
Track chemical technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical technicians make in California?
The median is $56,620 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,350, and experienced chemical technicians can clear $88,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,820/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 64.7% 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 technicians salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical technicians salary is worth about $53,345 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemical technicians 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.