How much does a biological scientist make in Santa Maria?
$124,800a year
Median yearly pay for biological scientists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $60.02 an hour or $10,400 a month.
- Hourly
- $60.02
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 156
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,460Median: $124,800Highest 10%: $188,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,460 | $30.99 | |
| 25th | $92,040 | $44.25 | |
| Median | $124,800 | $60.02 | |
| 75th | $144,100 | $69.27 | |
| 90th | $188,800 | $90.75 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for biological scientists.
| San Francisco, CA | $138,200 |
| San Jose, CA | $133,800 |
| 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 Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Medical Scientist | $128,600 |
| School Psychologist | $128,100 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $105,500 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $105,200 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $104,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $102,100 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $87,260 |
| Chemist | $85,930 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,340 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technician | $66,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological scientist make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $60.02 ($124,800 a year).
Do biological scientists make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $124,800 against $98,920 nationally, 26% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $113,500, so Santa Maria pays 10% more.
Where does Santa Maria rank for biological scientist pay?
4 of 156 metro areas with data.
How much does a biological scientist make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,460 or less a year; the top 10% make $188,800 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.