How much does a chemist make in Santa Cruz?
$95,840a year
Median yearly pay for chemists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $46.08 an hour or $7,987 a month.
- Hourly
- $46.08
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 57 of 212
- Jobs in the area
- 70
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $61,560Median: $95,840Highest 10%: $135,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,560 | $29.60 | |
| 25th | $69,600 | $33.46 | |
| Median | $95,840 | $46.08 | |
| 75th | $118,200 | $56.81 | |
| 90th | $135,800 | $65.29 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for chemists.
| San Francisco, CA | $127,800 |
| San Jose, CA | $114,900 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $97,570 |
| San Diego, CA | $95,160 |
| Riverside, CA | $92,660 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $92,240 |
| Napa, CA | $89,180 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $87,060 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $85,930 |
| Modesto, CA | $83,120 |
| Oxnard, CA | $82,960 |
| Sacramento, CA | $82,400 |
| Vallejo, CA | $81,470 |
| Stockton, CA | $80,080 |
| Fresno, CA | $73,470 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Geoscientist | $136,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $134,100 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $112,900 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $112,300 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $106,400 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $103,600 |
| Biological Scientist | $98,400 |
| Conservation Scientist | $72,860 |
| Life | $66,290 |
| Biological Technician | $66,240 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $46.08 ($95,840 a year).
Do chemists make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $95,840 against $91,240 nationally, 5% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $97,860, so Santa Cruz pays 2% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for chemist pay?
57 of 212 metro areas with data.
How much does a chemist make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $61,560 or less a year; the top 10% make $135,800 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.