How much does a life scientist make in San Jose?
$125,400a year
Median yearly pay for life scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area. That is $60.30 an hour or $10,450 a month.
- Hourly
- $60.30
- Vs. national median
- +34%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 29
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $70,570Median: $125,400Highest 10%: $270,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,570 | $33.93 | |
| 25th | $93,070 | $44.75 | |
| Median | $125,400 | $60.30 | |
| 75th | $195,700 | $94.11 | |
| 90th | $270,100 | $129.85 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for life scientists.
| San Francisco, CA | $134,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,700 |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,700 |
| San Diego, CA | $80,120 |
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 |
| Biological Scientist | $133,800 |
| School Psychologist | $130,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life scientist make an hour in San Jose?
The median hourly pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $60.30 ($125,400 a year).
Do life scientists make more in San Jose than the national average?
Yes: $125,400 against $93,750 nationally, 34% more.
How does San Jose compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $102,800, so San Jose pays 22% more.
Where does San Jose rank for life scientist pay?
3 of 29 metro areas with data.
How much does a life scientist make starting out in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% make $70,570 or less a year; the top 10% make $270,100 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.