How much does a biological scientist make in California?
$113,500a year
Median yearly pay for biological scientists in California. That is $54.58 an hour or $9,461 a month.
- Hourly
- $54.58
- Vs. national median
- +15%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 11,880
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $69,770Median: $113,500Highest 10%: $189,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $69,770 | $33.54 | |
| 25th | $86,090 | $41.39 | |
| Median | $113,500 | $54.58 | |
| 75th | $154,200 | $74.11 | |
| 90th | $189,700 | $91.21 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $138,200 |
| San Jose, CA | $133,800 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $124,800 |
| Vallejo, CA | $110,800 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $110,300 |
| San Diego, CA | $108,400 |
| Salinas, CA | $104,500 |
| Stockton, CA | $102,700 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $98,400 |
| Sacramento, CA | $98,220 |
| Oxnard, CA | $97,680 |
| Modesto, CA | $97,120 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $96,380 |
| Riverside, CA | $94,810 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $93,550 |
| El Centro, CA | $93,260 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $90,640 |
| Redding, CA | $84,910 |
| Fresno, CA | $81,720 |
| Chico, CA | $72,240 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for biological scientists.
| 1. Maryland | $121,700 |
| 2. California | $113,500 |
| 3. Delaware | $113,400 |
| 4. Connecticut | $111,900 |
| 5. Washington | $108,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological scientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $54.58 ($113,500 a year).
Do biological scientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $113,500 against $98,920 nationally, 15% more.
Where does California rank for biological scientist pay?
California ranks 2 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays biological scientists the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $138,200 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.