How much does a chemist make in Santa Maria?
$85,930a year
Median yearly pay for chemists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $41.31 an hour or $7,161 a month.
- Hourly
- $41.31
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 101 of 212
- Jobs in the area
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $60,030Median: $85,930Highest 10%: $145,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,030 | $28.86 | |
| 25th | $62,290 | $29.95 | |
| Median | $85,930 | $41.31 | |
| 75th | $116,900 | $56.19 | |
| 90th | $145,600 | $70.01 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for chemists.
| San Francisco, CA | $127,800 |
| San Jose, CA | $114,900 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $97,570 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $95,840 |
| San Diego, CA | $95,160 |
| Riverside, CA | $92,660 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $92,240 |
| Napa, CA | $89,180 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $87,060 |
| 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 Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Medical Scientist | $128,600 |
| School Psychologist | $128,100 |
| Biological Scientist | $124,800 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $105,500 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $105,200 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $104,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $102,100 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $87,260 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,340 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technician | $66,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $41.31 ($85,930 a year).
Do chemists make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
No: $85,930 against $91,240 nationally, 6% less.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $97,860, so Santa Maria pays 12% less.
Where does Santa Maria rank for chemist pay?
101 of 212 metro areas with data.
How much does a chemist make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $60,030 or less a year; the top 10% make $145,600 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.