Biological Technician salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Biological Technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $95,220 a year ($45.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,680 for the top 10%. That is 66% higher than the national median of $57,510. Pay here is 33% higher than the California statewide median of $71,440. There are 1.1 biological technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biological technicians in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| 25th percentile | $68,140 | $32.76 |
| Median | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| 75th percentile | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,680 | $76.29 |
| Average (mean) | $99,540 | $47.86 |
Half of biological technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,935 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,967.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,662.31 |
| Weekly | $1,831.15 |
| Hourly | $45.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Biological Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $72,940 | 790 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $67,060 | 1,770 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $66,610 | 1,830 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $66,240 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $66,110 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,410 | 710 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,470 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $60,360 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | $59,320 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,240 | 80 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $58,070 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,450 | 110 |
| Visalia, CA | $41,080 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for biological technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $71,440 |
| New Jersey | $66,040 |
| District of Columbia | $64,770 |
| Connecticut | $62,360 |
| Massachusetts | $62,070 |
| North Carolina | $61,720 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $60,800 |
| Maine | $60,160 |
| Colorado | $59,400 |
See Biological Technician pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Chemical Technician | $71,470 | $34.36 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $80,840 | $38.86 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $109,930 | $52.85 |
| Food Science Technician | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Agricultural Technician | $65,280 | $31.39 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $160,180 | $77.01 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $126,860 | $60.99 |
| Chemist | $127,790 | $61.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $166,400 | $80.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological technician make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for biological technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $95,220 a year, or $45.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biological technicians make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of biological technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $158,680 a year. The top 25% earn $128,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for biological technicians in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,090 a year, and a quarter of biological technicians earn $68,140 or less.
How many biological technicians work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 2,690 biological technicians are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.