How much does a life scientist make in California?
$102,800a year
Median yearly pay for life scientists in California. That is $49.44 an hour or $8,569 a month.
- Hourly
- $49.44
- Vs. national median
- +10%
- Rank among states
- 10 of 32
- Jobs in the state
- 860
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $62,910Median: $102,800Highest 10%: $187,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,910 | $30.25 | |
| 25th | $79,880 | $38.40 | |
| Median | $102,800 | $49.44 | |
| 75th | $143,600 | $69.03 | |
| 90th | $187,600 | $90.17 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $134,800 |
| San Jose, CA | $125,400 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,700 |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,700 |
| San Diego, CA | $80,120 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for life scientists.
| 7. Maryland | $109,700 |
| 8. Tennessee | $108,800 |
| 9. New Jersey | $103,900 |
| 10. California | $102,800 |
| 11. Washington | $100,400 |
| 12. Florida | $91,900 |
| 13. New York | $86,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life scientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $49.44 ($102,800 a year).
Do life scientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $102,800 against $93,750 nationally, 10% more.
Where does California rank for life scientist pay?
California ranks 10 of 32 states.
Which city in California pays life scientists the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $134,800 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.