Chemical Technician salary in California
Chemical Technicians in California earn a median of $59,510 a year ($28.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,900 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $60,390. California ranks 23rd of 51 states for chemical technicians pay. There are 0.37 chemical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| 25th percentile | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Median | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| 75th percentile | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| Average (mean) | $64,570 | $31.04 |
Half of chemical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,959.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,479.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,288.85 |
| Weekly | $1,144.42 |
| Hourly | $28.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $71,470 | 1,040 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,140 | 470 |
| Vallejo, CA | $62,470 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,870 | 260 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,580 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $58,070 | 2,330 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $57,610 | 80 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $57,390 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $57,380 | 90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $57,270 | 910 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $56,630 | 140 |
| Modesto, CA | $56,250 | 120 |
| Napa, CA | $55,750 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $55,620 | 410 |
| Salinas, CA | $54,220 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $52,290 | 70 |
| Visalia, CA | $51,360 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,610 | 120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $46,950 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for chemical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $85,850 |
| Alaska | $79,380 |
| Delaware | $78,620 |
| South Carolina | $75,020 |
| Missouri | $68,550 |
| Massachusetts | $67,570 |
| Arizona | $65,860 |
| Vermont | $65,560 |
| Hawaii | $63,910 |
| Colorado | $63,770 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Agricultural Technician | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| Nuclear Technician | $99,270 | $47.72 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical technician make in California?
The median salary for chemical technicians in California is $59,510 a year, or $28.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical technicians make in California?
The top 10% of chemical technicians in California earn at least $88,900 a year. The top 25% earn $73,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,070 a year, and a quarter of chemical technicians earn $49,810 or less.
How many chemical technicians work in California?
About 6,800 chemical technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.