Quality Control Chemist Jobs in California

Quality Control Chemist jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, food and beverage production, and medical device development, with openings at every level from entry-level lab technician to senior QC scientist. The largest hiring markets are San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, where established employers such as Genentech, Abbott, and Thermo Fisher Scientific maintain significant California operations. The most in-demand specializations include method validation, raw material testing, and regulatory compliance under FDA and USP standards. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Quality Control Chemist Jobs

Overview

Open roles9+
Top employerAHMC Healthcare
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring8
Work type100% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 9+ Quality Control Chemist jobs

Grifols
Quality Control Chemist
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Grifols
Added 1mo ago
Quality Control Chemist
Grifols
Los Angeles, California
Quality Control
Laboratory Research
Healthcare Administration
$26 - $28/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Excelsior Nutrition Inc
Chemist Quality Control
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Excelsior Nutrition Inc
Added 3w ago
Chemist Quality Control
Excelsior Nutrition Inc
Anaheim, California
Quality Control
Laboratory Research
$20 - $38/hr
On-Site
Master's

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Linde
Chemist - Quality Control
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Linde
Added 1mo ago
Chemist - Quality Control
Linde
Los Angeles, California
Laboratory Research
Quality Control
$24 - $36/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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Clean Harbors
InSite Chemist
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Clean Harbors
Added 1mo ago
InSite Chemist
Clean Harbors
Panorama City, California
Laboratory Research
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Quality Control
Environmental Science
$17 - $39/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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ATOCO, Inc.
Production Chemist
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ATOCO, Inc.
Added 1mo ago
Production Chemist
ATOCO, Inc.
Irvine, California
Laboratory Research
Quality Control
Manufacturing Operations
$70k - $80k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 9 Quality Control Chemist Jobs in California

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

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Quality Control Chemist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
2 jobs
Anaheim
1 jobs
Irvine
1 jobs
Panorama City
1 jobs
Rancho Cucamonga
1 jobs
Riverside
1 jobs
Santa Ana
1 jobs
South San Francisco
1 jobs

Quality Control Chemist Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • AHMC Healthcare
    AHMC Healthcare1
  • ATOCO
    ATOCO1
  • Clean Harbors
    Clean Harbors1
  • Excelsior Nutrition
    Excelsior Nutrition1
  • Grifols
    Grifols1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals4
  • Science & Research2
  • Chemicals & Materials1
  • Consulting & Professional Services1
  • Distribution & Wholesale1

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related natural science
  • Hands-on experience with HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, or other analytical instrumentation
  • Working knowledge of cGMP, FDA regulations, and USP testing standards
  • Proficiency in writing and reviewing standard operating procedures and batch records
  • Experience with laboratory information management systems such as LIMS or SAP
  • Familiarity with California environmental health and safety regulations for laboratory settings

Quality Control Chemist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a quality control chemist in California?

Most quality control chemist roles in California require a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related science. California does not issue a state-specific license for quality control chemists, but employers in pharmaceutical and biotech sectors strongly prefer candidates who understand FDA cGMP regulations and USP standards. Gaining lab experience through a university co-op, internship at a California biotech or food manufacturer, or an entry-level analytical technician role is the standard path to full QC chemist positions.

How much do quality control chemists make in California?

Quality control chemists in California earn a median of about $59,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $44,070 for the lowest 10% to over $88,900 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire quality control chemists in California?

Employers hiring quality control chemists in California right now include AHMC Healthcare, ATOCO, and Clean Harbors, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers, food processors, and biotech firms means consistent year-round demand for QC talent across the state.

Which California cities have the most quality control chemist jobs?

Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Irvine have the most quality control chemist openings in California. San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area drive volume through their established biotech and pharmaceutical clusters, while Los Angeles draws demand from food manufacturing, cosmetics, and medical device companies headquartered or operating in the region.

Are there remote quality control chemist jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Quality control chemistry is inherently hands-on work involving physical samples, instrumentation, and regulated laboratory environments, which limits remote options. About 0% of quality control chemist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions typically involve documentation review, data analysis, or regulatory compliance writing rather than bench work.

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

The most realistic entry path is an analytical technician or QC associate role at a California pharmaceutical or food manufacturing company, where on-the-job training under cGMP conditions builds the foundational skills employers require. Large California biotech employers such as Genentech and Gilead run new-graduate programs, and contract research organizations operating throughout San Diego and the Bay Area regularly hire candidates with strong undergraduate lab coursework. Completing an internship, developing hands-on HPLC or titration skills through coursework, and earning a working knowledge of FDA documentation standards gives candidates a meaningful edge over other applicants.

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

You can find and apply to quality control chemist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 9 Quality Control Chemist Jobs in California

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

Find Quality Control Chemist Jobs