The average chemist salary at Palo Alto was $171,298 , which is 11 percent higher than the average salary for this job in California, and 175 percent higher than the national average for this job . Chemist salaries at Palo Alto typically range from $160,690 to $185,254 (25th to 75th percentile). The highest reported chemist salary was $185,254. There are 3 employees at Palo Alto with the job title chemist.