Science & Research San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Chemist Salary in San Francisco, California

The median chemist salary in San Francisco, CA is $150,678 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median and 31.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$150,678
vs State Avg
+$36,428
vs National
+$67,888
Cost of Living
182%

Chemist Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level chemist earns around $91,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $245,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$91,000
+$41,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$152,880
+$68,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$245,700
+$110,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $87,360
25th Percentile $112,840
Median (50th) $150,678
75th Percentile $198,380
90th Percentile $258,440

Chemist Salary in Other California Cities

San Jose, CA
$139,087
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$120,873
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$117,562
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$97,692
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Chemist in San Francisco

Education

Most chemist positions require a bachelor's degree. San Francisco and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Analytical ChemistryLab TechniquesSpectroscopyHPLCQuality ControlResearch Methods

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemist employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in San Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemist Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open chemist positions in San Francisco, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemist Salary in San Francisco

How much does a Chemist make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median chemist salary in San Francisco, California is $150,678 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median of $82,790. Salaries range from $87,360 (10th percentile) to $258,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemist make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $150,678, a chemist in San Francisco earns approximately $72 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for chemist pay? ▼
San Francisco's median chemist salary of $150,678 is 31.9% above the California state average of $114,250. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA? ▼
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 182% compared to the national average. This means a chemist salary of $150,678 in San Francisco has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemist in San Francisco? ▼
Most chemist positions in San Francisco require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Analytical Chemistry, Lab Techniques, Spectroscopy, HPLC. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.