California, CA · 2026
Chemical Engineers Salary in California (2026)
Average across 3 cities · Based on BLS data · Updated 2026
State Average
$176,498
per year
State Median
$160,975
per year
vs National Average
+44%
national avg: $122,910
25th %ile
$131,580
Entry
Average
$176,498
State avg
75th %ile
$205,074
Senior
Chemical Engineers Salary by City in California
| City | Avg Salary | vs State Avg | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $192,231 | +9% | +5.6% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $176,744 | +0% | +1.9% |
| San Diego, CA | $160,520 | -9% | +3.6% |
Compare cities side by side
See how Chemical Engineers salaries stack up across California cities.