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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Industrial Chemist in California is $105,075 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.
However, an Industrial Chemist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Industrial Chemist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $115,860 | $9,655 | $2,228 | $56 |
| Average | $105,075 | $8,756 | $2,021 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,473 | $7,873 | $1,817 | $45 |
Textum OPCO LLC - DAYTON, OH
Clean Harbors - JOHNSTON, IA
Clean Harbors - ELKHART, IA
Clean Harbors - CARBONDALE, IA
An Industrial Chemist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Industrial Chemist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chemist I... Level Industrial Chemist | $70,404 |
| Chemist I... Level Industrial Chemist | $87,311 |
| Industria... Level Industrial Chemist | $105,812 |
| Chemist I... Level Industrial Chemist | $138,763 |
| Chemist V... Level Industrial Chemist | $162,042 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Industrial Chemists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Industrial Chemist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Industrial Chemist positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Industrial Chemist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $126,091 | $61.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $120,837 | $58.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $117,684 | $57.0 | 12% |
| MFG Durable | $115,583 | $56.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $113,481 | $55.0 | 8% |
Understanding how an Industrial Chemist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $115,860 | $9,655 | $2,228 | $56 |
| Average | $105,075 | $8,756 | $2,021 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,473 | $7,873 | $1,817 | $45 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Industrial Chemist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Clean Harbors
SOUTH DES MOINES, IA
Clean Harbors | SOUTH DES MOINES, IA
Clean Harbors seeks a CleanPack Chemist to safely identify, classify, and process hazardous and non-hazardous materials for collection, packing, and dispos... more
8 Days Ago
Clean Harbors
POLK CITY, IA
Clean Harbors | POLK CITY, IA
Clean Harbors seeks a CleanPack Chemist to safely identify, classify, and process hazardous and non-hazardous materials for collection, packing, and dispos... more
8 Days Ago
Clean Harbors
NORWALK, IA
Clean Harbors | NORWALK, IA
Clean Harbors seeks a CleanPack Chemist to safely identify, classify, and process hazardous and non-hazardous materials for collection, packing, and dispos... more
8 Days Ago
Clean Harbors
CARLISLE, IA
Clean Harbors | CARLISLE, IA
Clean Harbors seeks a CleanPack Chemist to safely identify, classify, and process hazardous and non-hazardous materials for collection, packing, and dispos... more
8 Days Ago
Clean Harbors
ALTOONA, IA
Clean Harbors | ALTOONA, IA
Clean Harbors seeks a CleanPack Chemist to safely identify, classify, and process hazardous and non-hazardous materials for collection, packing, and dispos... more
8 Days Ago
Clean Harbors
BONDURANT, IA
Clean Harbors | BONDURANT, IA
Clean Harbors seeks a CleanPack Chemist to safely identify, classify, and process hazardous and non-hazardous materials for collection, packing, and dispos... more
8 Days Ago
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