Chemist salary in Modesto, CA
Chemists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $83,120 a year ($39.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,720 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 15% lower than the California statewide median of $97,860. There are 0.48 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,160 | $25.08 |
| 25th percentile | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Median | $83,120 | $39.96 |
| 75th percentile | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,720 | $64.77 |
| Average (mean) | $87,650 | $42.14 |
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 | $6,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,463.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,196.92 |
| Weekly | $1,598.46 |
| Hourly | $39.96 |
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 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $97,570 | 190 |
| 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 |
| 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 Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $103,840 | $49.92 |
| Food Science Technician | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,910 | $45.63 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $143,760 | $69.11 |
| Chemical Technician | $56,250 | $27.05 |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| School Psychologist | $128,750 | $61.90 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $69,900 | $33.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Microbiologist | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $123,030 | $59.15 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $81,570 | $39.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for chemists in the Modesto, CA metro area is $83,120 a year, or $39.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $134,720 a year. The top 25% earn $109,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,160 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $62,600 or less.
How many chemists work in Modesto, CA?
About 90 chemists are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.