RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Chemists salary: California vs District of Columbia

Occupation

Chemists in District of Columbia earn a median of $149,860. In California, $97,860. After cost-of-living, the gap is 35.2% — not 34.7%.

Nominal pay gap
-34.7%
California vs District of Columbia
COL-adjusted gap
-35.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Chemists

Median
$97,860
p25
$76,340
p75
$127,790
p10
$60,930
p90
$164,150
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-53%
See full breakdown for California

District of Columbia

Chemists

Median
$149,860
p25
$128,610
p75
$172,560
p10
$101,400
p90
$195,190
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
109.9
See full breakdown for District of Columbia

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.