Chemist salary in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Chemists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn a median of $97,570 a year ($46.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,700 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $97,860. There are 0.55 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $105,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| 25th percentile | $72,620 | $34.92 |
| Median | $97,570 | $46.91 |
| 75th percentile | $128,710 | $61.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,700 | $76.78 |
| Average (mean) | $105,620 | $50.78 |
Half of chemists 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 | $8,130.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,065.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,752.69 |
| Weekly | $1,876.35 |
| Hourly | $46.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $127,790 | 2,180 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,890 | 580 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $95,840 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $95,160 | 1,370 |
| Salinas, CA | $95,080 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $92,660 | 480 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $92,240 | 80 |
| Napa, CA | $89,180 | 50 |
| Visalia, CA | $87,570 | 30 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $87,060 | 3,190 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $86,060 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $85,930 | 110 |
| Modesto, CA | $83,120 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $82,960 | 220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $82,400 | 400 |
| Vallejo, CA | $81,470 | 130 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $80,080 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $73,470 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Physicist | $135,260 | $65.03 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $137,340 | $66.03 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $132,110 | $63.51 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,550 | $56.03 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| School Psychologist | $126,430 | $60.79 |
| Chemical Technician | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Agricultural Technician | $52,620 | $25.30 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $79,970 | $38.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. 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 chemist make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The median salary for chemists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area is $97,570 a year, or $46.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn at least $159,700 a year. The top 25% earn $128,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,070 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $72,620 or less.
How many chemists work in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
About 190 chemists are employed in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.