Analytical Chemist Jobs in California
Analytical Chemist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, driven by the state's dominant pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food and beverage, and environmental testing industries across all levels from entry-level lab technician to senior principal scientist. The heaviest hiring concentrations are in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where established employers like Genentech, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Gilead Sciences maintain major California operations. The most in-demand specialties are method development and validation, environmental compliance testing, and pharmaceutical quality control. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory (OAL) is one of the world’s largest World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited sports drug-testing facility and one of the leading research institutions in the field of athletic doping. Founded in 1982 by a grant from the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, the UCLA facility was the first U.S. laboratory accredited by the International Olympic Committee.
As a Receiving Chemist at the UCLA Olympic Lab, your primary duties include:
- Receive and process several thousand urine and non-biological specimens annually.
- Receive, accession, aliquot, process, and store specimens in accordance with detailed written procedures and established protocols.
- Perform routine laboratory testing, including immunoassay screening for various substances, pH measurements using dipsticks and pH meters, and specific gravity measurements using a refractometer.
- Prepare and ship urine collection kits and complete all required shipping documentation.
- Maintain accurate electronic and manual records of specimens and laboratory activities.
- Ensure the receiving and processing areas remain organized, clean, and compliant with laboratory standards.
- Assist with inventory management and laboratory supply distribution as needed.
Salary Range: $30.12/hour - $35.92/hour
Pay range: $30.12 - $35.92 an hour
Qualifications
Ability to accurately use laboratory equipment, including pipettes, pH meters, refractometers, balances, and related instrumentation.- Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions and adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when handling specimens and documentation.
- Ability to work occasional overtime, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.
- Experience in laboratory operations, specimen receiving, accessioning, sample handling, quality assurance, compliance activities, or a comparable laboratory support environment – highly preferred
The UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory (OAL) is one of the world’s largest World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited sports drug-testing facility and one of the leading research institutions in the field of athletic doping. Founded in 1982 by a grant from the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, the UCLA facility was the first U.S. laboratory accredited by the International Olympic Committee.
As a Receiving Chemist at the UCLA Olympic Lab, your primary duties include:
- Receive and process several thousand urine and non-biological specimens annually.
- Receive, accession, aliquot, process, and store specimens in accordance with detailed written procedures and established protocols.
- Perform routine laboratory testing, including immunoassay screening for various substances, pH measurements using dipsticks and pH meters, and specific gravity measurements using a refractometer.
- Prepare and ship urine collection kits and complete all required shipping documentation.
- Maintain accurate electronic and manual records of specimens and laboratory activities.
- Ensure the receiving and processing areas remain organized, clean, and compliant with laboratory standards.
- Assist with inventory management and laboratory supply distribution as needed.
Salary Range: $30.12/hour - $35.92/hour
Pay range: $30.12 - $35.92 an hour
Qualifications
Ability to accurately use laboratory equipment, including pipettes, pH meters, refractometers, balances, and related instrumentation.- Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions and adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when handling specimens and documentation.
- Ability to work occasional overtime, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.
- Experience in laboratory operations, specimen receiving, accessioning, sample handling, quality assurance, compliance activities, or a comparable laboratory support environment – highly preferred
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Find Analytical Chemist JobsAnalytical Chemist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Analytical Chemist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in analytical chemist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline
- Hands-on experience with HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, or UV-Vis spectroscopy instrumentation
- Familiarity with FDA cGMP or EPA regulatory standards applicable to California laboratory environments
- Experience writing and executing analytical methods following ICH or USP guidelines
- Proficiency with laboratory information management systems and data analysis software
- Strong documentation skills with attention to detail for maintaining compliant California laboratory records
Analytical Chemist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a analytical chemist in California?
Becoming an analytical chemist in California starts with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related science from an accredited institution. California does not require a state-issued license specifically for analytical chemists, but roles in environmental testing often require work under a California-registered chemist or a state-certified laboratory. Employers in pharmaceutical and biotech sectors typically expect hands-on instrument experience gained through coursework, internships, or university research programs before a first hire.
How much do analytical chemists make in California?
Analytical chemists in California earn a median of about $97,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $60,930 for the lowest 10% to over $164,150 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire analytical chemists in California?
Employers hiring analytical chemists in California right now include Certified, Entech Instruments, and KDC/ONE, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of biotech headquarters, major pharma campuses, and accredited environmental testing labs means consistent openings exist across a wide range of company sizes and sectors throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most analytical chemist jobs?
Burbank, Hayward, and Simi Valley have the most analytical chemist openings in California. The Bay Area and San Diego lead because of their dense biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystems, while Los Angeles draws demand from food safety, environmental consulting, and consumer products testing firms, making all three metros strong markets for candidates at every experience level.
Are there remote analytical chemist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Most analytical chemist work is inherently hands-on and instrument-dependent, which limits how much of the role can be done remotely. About 0% of analytical chemist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in data review, regulatory writing, or method consulting functions rather than bench laboratory work.
How can I get hired as a analytical chemist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to associate scientist or laboratory technician roles at California's large contract research organizations and pharmaceutical manufacturers, which regularly onboard candidates from new-graduate pools. Companies such as Eurofins and Charles River Laboratories operate California sites that hire entry-level analysts. A strong academic lab record, a senior thesis project involving instrumental analysis, or an internship at a California environmental or food-safety testing lab gives candidates a clear edge over applicants without applied experience.
Where can I find and apply to analytical chemist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to analytical chemist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, location, and specialty, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 10 Analytical Chemist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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