Chemical Technicians pay range in San Jose
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,960 a year or less, while the top 10% make $95,270 or more. The middle half of chemical technicians in San Jose earn between $57,370 and $78,520.
- $49K10th
- $57K25th
- $67KMedian
- $79K75th
- $95K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $71,610 | $5,968 | $34.43 |
| Median | $67,140 | $5,595 | $32.28 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $57,370 | $4,781 | $27.58 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $78,520 | $6,543 | $37.75 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Chemical Technicians pay in San Jose vs. California and the U.S.
Chemical technicians in San Jose earn 11% more than the California average ($64,570) and 12% more than the U.S. average ($63,900). At the median the gap is +11% against the U.S. median of $60,390.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $71,610 | $67,140 | $48,960 | $95,270 | 470 |
| California | $64,570 | $59,510 | $44,070 | $88,900 | 6,800 |
| United States | $63,900 | $60,390 | $41,740 | $92,040 | 57,540 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Chemical Technicians salary after taxes in San Jose
On the average salary of $71,610, a single filer in San Jose takes home about $56,551 a year, or $4,713 a month and $2,175 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Jose a good place for chemical technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Jose area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 110.4), so the average $71,610 buys what about $64,851 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in San Jose ($84,050). A typical home costs $1,610,466, or 22.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Chemical Technicians salary in other California cities
San Jose ranks 2nd of 19 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($76,990).
- San Francisco$76,990
- San Jose$71,610
- Vallejo$70,500
- Sacramento$65,170
- Los Angeles$63,410
- San Diego$60,910
- Bakersfield$60,790
- Santa Maria$60,220
- Napa$58,780
- Santa Rosa$58,670
Highest-paying cities for chemical technicians
Baton Rouge, LA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($94,470).
- Baton Rouge, LA$94,470
- Lake Charles, LA$89,340
- Augusta, GA$83,060
- Niles, MI$81,900
- Beaumont, TX$80,360
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Chemical Technicians salary in San Jose: questions
How much do chemical technicians make an hour in San Jose?
$34.43 an hour on average, and $32.28 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level chemical technicians salary in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,960 a year and the 25th percentile is $57,370, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the chemical technicians take-home pay in San Jose?
About $56,551 a year ($4,713 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $71,610. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do chemical technicians earn more in San Jose than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% more than the U.S. average for this job ($63,900).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-4031; area San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (41940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.11, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.