How much does a medical scientist make in California?
$137,000a year
Median yearly pay for medical scientists in California. That is $65.86 an hour or $11,420 a month.
- Hourly
- $65.86
- Vs. national median
- +32%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 46
- Jobs in the state
- 29,830
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $81,320Median: $137,000Highest 10%: $180,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,320 | $39.10 | |
| 25th | $109,600 | $52.68 | |
| Median | $137,000 | $65.86 | |
| 75th | $162,000 | $77.89 | |
| 90th | $180,100 | $86.57 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Vallejo, CA | $168,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $160,200 |
| San Jose, CA | $159,300 |
| Chico, CA | $155,500 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $145,300 |
| Modesto, CA | $143,800 |
| Salinas, CA | $138,600 |
| Riverside, CA | $138,400 |
| Stockton, CA | $138,100 |
| Sacramento, CA | $137,600 |
| Fresno, CA | $137,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $134,900 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $134,100 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $132,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $131,000 |
| Oxnard, CA | $129,900 |
| Visalia, CA | $129,500 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $128,600 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $125,100 |
| Redding, CA | $123,500 |
| El Centro, CA | $119,500 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for medical scientists.
| 1. California | $137,000 |
| 2. New Jersey | $129,300 |
| 3. Massachusetts | $128,200 |
| 4. Connecticut | $117,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical scientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $65.86 ($137,000 a year).
Do medical scientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $137,000 against $103,400 nationally, 32% more.
Where does California rank for medical scientist pay?
California ranks 1 of 46 states.
Which city in California pays medical scientists the most?
Vallejo, CA, with a median of $168,900 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.