California, CA · 2026
Chemical Engineers Salary in California (2026)
Average across 3 cities · Based on BLS data · Updated 2026
State Average
$186,651
per year
State Median
$179,557
per year
vs National Average
+44%
national avg: $129,980
25th %ile
$140,469
Entry
Average
$186,651
State avg
75th %ile
$225,725
Senior
Chemical Engineers Salary by City in California
| City | Avg Salary | vs State Avg | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $203,288 | +9% | +2.8% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $186,911 | +0% | +2.8% |
| San Diego, CA | $169,753 | -9% | +2.8% |
Compare cities side by side
See how Chemical Engineers salaries stack up across California cities.