Chemist salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Chemists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $85,930 a year ($41.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,620 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 12% lower than 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 $95,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| 25th percentile | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| Median | $85,930 | $41.31 |
| 75th percentile | $116,870 | $56.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,620 | $70.01 |
| Average (mean) | $95,140 | $45.74 |
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 | $7,160.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,580.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,305 |
| Weekly | $1,652.50 |
| Hourly | $41.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $105,230 | $50.59 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,620 | $61.84 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,500 | $50.72 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $87,260 | $41.95 |
| School Psychologist | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $66,340 | $31.90 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| Biological Technician | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,340 | $37.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for chemists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $85,930 a year, or $41.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $145,620 a year. The top 25% earn $116,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,030 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $62,290 or less.
How many chemists work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 110 chemists are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.