How much does a biological scientist make in Santa Cruz?
$98,400a year
Median yearly pay for biological scientists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $47.31 an hour or $8,200 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.31
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 44 of 156
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $59,380Median: $98,400Highest 10%: $159,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,380 | $28.55 | |
| 25th | $75,790 | $36.44 | |
| Median | $98,400 | $47.31 | |
| 75th | $129,800 | $62.40 | |
| 90th | $159,100 | $76.48 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for biological scientists.
| 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 |
| 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 Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Geoscientist | $136,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $134,100 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $112,900 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $112,300 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $106,400 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $103,600 |
| Chemist | $95,840 |
| Conservation Scientist | $72,860 |
| Life | $66,290 |
| Biological Technician | $66,240 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological scientist make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $47.31 ($98,400 a year).
Do biological scientists make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
No: $98,400 against $98,920 nationally, 1% less.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $113,500, so Santa Cruz pays 13% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for biological scientist pay?
44 of 156 metro areas with data.
How much does a biological scientist make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $59,380 or less a year; the top 10% make $159,100 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.