How much does a biological scientist make in San Jose?
$133,800a year
Median yearly pay for biological scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area. That is $64.32 an hour or $11,150 a month.
- Hourly
- $64.32
- Vs. national median
- +35%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 156
- Jobs in the area
- 610
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $81,280Median: $133,800Highest 10%: $217,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,280 | $39.08 | |
| 25th | $101,700 | $48.88 | |
| Median | $133,800 | $64.32 | |
| 75th | $170,700 | $82.06 | |
| 90th | $217,200 | $104.44 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for biological scientists.
| San Francisco, CA | $138,200 |
| 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 |
| Fresno, CA | $81,720 |
| Chico, CA | $72,240 |
Related jobs in San Jose
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Materials Scientist | $231,900 |
| Psychologist | $175,200 |
| Physicist | $173,500 |
| Physical Scientist | $160,600 |
| Medical Scientist | $159,300 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $139,400 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $137,300 |
| Geoscientist | $136,100 |
| School Psychologist | $130,500 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $129,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological scientist make an hour in San Jose?
The median hourly pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $64.32 ($133,800 a year).
Do biological scientists make more in San Jose than the national average?
Yes: $133,800 against $98,920 nationally, 35% more.
How does San Jose compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $113,500, so San Jose pays 18% more.
Where does San Jose rank for biological scientist pay?
2 of 156 metro areas with data.
How much does a biological scientist make starting out in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% make $81,280 or less a year; the top 10% make $217,200 or more.
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.