How much does a life make in San Jose?
$83,160a year
Median yearly pay for lifes in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area. That is $39.98 an hour or $6,930 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.98
- Vs. national median
- +34%
- Rank among cities
- 9 of 182
- Jobs in the area
- 350
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $48,890Median: $83,160Highest 10%: $133,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,890 | $23.50 | |
| 25th | $63,200 | $30.38 | |
| Median | $83,160 | $39.98 | |
| 75th | $111,100 | $53.43 | |
| 90th | $133,700 | $64.27 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for lifes.
| Bakersfield, CA | $87,180 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $86,450 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,180 |
| San Francisco, CA | $77,670 |
| Riverside, CA | $76,630 |
| San Diego, CA | $75,970 |
| Oxnard, CA | $74,100 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $66,290 |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,240 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,510 |
| Fresno, CA | $57,310 |
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 make an hour in San Jose?
The median hourly pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $39.98 ($83,160 a year).
Do lifes make more in San Jose than the national average?
Yes: $83,160 against $62,280 nationally, 34% more.
How does San Jose compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $78,350, so San Jose pays 6% more.
Where does San Jose rank for life pay?
9 of 182 metro areas with data.
How much does a life make starting out in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% make $48,890 or less a year; the top 10% make $133,700 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.