Chemists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Chemists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $86,800 a year, or about $41.73 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $155K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $78,981 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 77.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $87K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About chemists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level chemists (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K.Top earners bring in $155K or more - a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Chemists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $153K | +82% | 250 |
| New Mexico | $134K | +60% | 210 |
| Maryland | $132K | +57% | 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $127K | +51% | 3,340 |
| Delaware | $125K | +49% | 1,180 |
| Louisiana | $109K | +30% | 630 |
| West Virginia | $108K | +28% | 270 |
| Texas | $101K | +20% | 5,490 |
| Virginia | $100K | +19% | 1,340 |
| Rhode Island | $97K | +16% | 120 |
| Illinois | $97K | +15% | 3,250 |
| California | $97K | +15% | 8,480 |
| Alabama | $96K | +14% | 630 |
| Alaska | $95K | +13% | 40 |
| Georgia | $95K | +13% | 1,080 |
Track chemists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do chemists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $86,800 a year - that works out to about $41.73 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,240, and experienced chemists can clear $154,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,437/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 77.5% 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 chemists salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (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 chemists salary is worth about $78,981 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemists 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.