Chemist Jobs in California

Chemist jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, semiconductor materials, and environmental testing across experience levels from entry-level lab technicians through principal and senior research scientists. The heaviest hiring is in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers like Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and Thermo Fisher Scientific have deep and lasting presences. Analytical chemistry, formulation chemistry, and process chemistry are consistently the most in-demand specialties statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles67
Top employerClean Harbors
Top cityIrvine, CA
Cities hiring36
Work type92% On-site
Top industryMedical Devices

Showing 5 of 67+ Chemist jobs

Nivagen Pharmaceuticals
Research Chemist
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Nivagen Pharmaceuticals
Added 1d ago
Research Chemist
Nivagen Pharmaceuticals
Sacramento, California
Chemistry & Materials Science
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Master's degree in chemistry

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Bureau Veritas
Synthetic Chemist II
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Bureau Veritas
Added 1d ago
Synthetic Chemist II
Bureau Veritas
Pasadena, California
Data Analytics
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$38 - $42/hr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Republic Services
Field Chemist II
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Republic Services
Added 1d ago
Field Chemist II
Republic Services
San Jose, California
Data Analytics
Data Science
$39.35 - $54.12/hr
10,000+

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KDC/ONE
Short-Term Analytical Chemist
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KDC/ONE
Added 3d ago
Short-Term Analytical Chemist
KDC/ONE
Chatsworth, California
Compliance & Legal
Procurement & Purchasing
Project Management
Bachelor of Science
501-1,000

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Diamond Wipes International
Stability Chemist
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Diamond Wipes International
Added 3d ago
Stability Chemist
Diamond Wipes International
Chino, California
Account Management
Customer Service
Sales
$20 - $26/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree

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See All 67 Chemist Jobs in California

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Chemist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Irvine
6 jobs
Los Angeles
5 jobs
San Jose
4 jobs
Burbank
3 jobs
Monrovia
3 jobs
Pasadena
3 jobs
Petaluma
3 jobs
Torrance
3 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs

Chemist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Clean Harbors
Clean Harbors3 open roles
Certified
Certified3 open roles
LGC
LGC2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Medical Devices
  • Technology & Software
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Education
  • Manufacturing

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in chemist jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related physical science
  • Hands-on laboratory experience with instrumentation such as HPLC, GC-MS, or ICP-MS
  • Familiarity with California-regulated environmental or pharmaceutical compliance standards
  • Experience following Good Laboratory Practice or Good Manufacturing Practice protocols
  • Strong data analysis skills and proficiency with LIMS or laboratory software platforms
  • Ability to write clear technical reports and communicate findings to cross-functional teams

Chemist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a chemist in California?

A bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related science is the standard entry point, and most California employers expect laboratory coursework and hands-on training. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a chemist, but roles in environmental testing labs may require analysts to meet California ELAP accreditation standards set by the State Water Resources Control Board. Gaining experience through university research programs or internships at Bay Area or San Diego biotech firms strengthens any application considerably.

How much do chemists make in California?

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 chemists in California?

Employers hiring chemists in California right now include Clean Harbors, Certified, and LGC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's dense concentration of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and specialty chemical companies means openings appear across a wider range of employer types than in most other states.

Which California cities have the most chemist jobs?

Irvine, Los Angeles, and San Jose account for the largest share of chemist openings in California. The Bay Area and San Diego draw the most volume because of their established pharmaceutical and biotechnology clusters, while Los Angeles supports significant demand through its environmental consulting, consumer products, and specialty materials industries.

Are there remote chemist jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Most chemist work is hands-on and tied to a physical lab, so fully remote roles are a small portion of total openings. About 8% of chemist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in regulatory affairs, technical writing, and data-heavy roles like computational or analytical method development.

How can I get hired as a chemist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to associate scientist or laboratory technician roles, which California biotech and pharmaceutical employers routinely post as new-graduate positions. Companies like Genentech and Gilead run formal early-career or new-grad programs, and contract research organizations operating across the Bay Area and San Diego regularly hire entry-level analysts. A degree with strong lab coursework, a California ELAP-relevant certification for environmental roles, or undergraduate research experience at a University of California campus all give candidates a clear edge.

Where can I find and apply to chemist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to chemist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 67 Chemist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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