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Average Chemical Engineers Salary in California

The average salary for Chemical Engineerss in California is $120,230. While this is lower than the national average, the cost of living in California may offset the difference, preserving real purchasing power.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $120,230 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 8.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $180,345.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Chemical Engineerss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 1,550 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader California economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$120,230

The average Chemical Engineers in California earns-15.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$57.8

Weekly

$2,312

Monthly

$10,019

Chemical Engineers Salary Distribution in California

The earning potential for Chemical Engineerss in California varies significantly by experience level. The salary gap is relatively narrow, suggesting consistent and predictable earnings from entry-level to senior positions. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $72,138, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $180,345.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$72,138$34.7
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$90,173$43.4
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$120,230$57.8
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$150,288$72.3
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$180,345$86.7

Detailed Chemical Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$120,230

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$86,809

Adjusted for COL (138.5)

In California, the Cost of Living Index is 138.5. This reduces your effective purchasing power from $120,230 to $86,809.

Job Market Context

1,550

Total Jobs

N/A

Per 1K Jobs

N/A

Location Quotient

1,550 people work as Chemical Engineers in California.

Location Quotient data is not available for this area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Chemical Engineers

CitySalaryDist.
Bakersfield-Delano, CA Chemical Engineers Salary$150,810↑ 25%64 mi

Comparing salaries near California

Hiring Chemical Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chemical Engineers make in California?

The median annual salary for a Chemical Engineers in California is $120,230. This typically ranges from $72,138 for entry-level positions to $180,345 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in California is 15.7% lower than the national median of $142,650.

Is California a good place for Chemical Engineerss?

It depends on your priorities. While the average Chemical Engineers salary in California is $120,230 (below the national average), the area may offer a lower cost of living or other lifestyle benefits typical of California. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is California a good place to live for Chemical Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in California is 138.5. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near California?

Some top paying nearby cities include Bakersfield-Delano, CA ($150,810) and others.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,550 employees in the California area with a job density of per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Chemical Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in California