Epidemiologist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Epidemiologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $125,320 a year ($60.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,320 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $87,220. Pay here is 13% higher than the California statewide median of $110,760. There are 0.10 epidemiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $112,450, close to the median.
Pay range for epidemiologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| 25th percentile | $82,730 | $39.77 |
| Median | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| 75th percentile | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Average (mean) | $112,450 | $54.06 |
Half of epidemiologists 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 | $10,443.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,221.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,820 |
| Weekly | $2,410 |
| Hourly | $60.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $125,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Epidemiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,400 | 320 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $111,960 | 260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,400 | 380 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,350 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $63,840 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for epidemiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 |
| California | $110,760 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 |
| Washington | $108,240 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 |
| Illinois | $102,720 |
| Maryland | $101,830 |
| Nevada | $99,880 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 |
See Epidemiologist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $130,980 | $62.97 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,350 | $52.09 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $121,740 | $58.53 |
| Microbiologist | $108,900 | $52.36 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $93,500 | $44.95 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,200 | $37.60 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,930 | $41.31 |
| Forester | $93,340 | $44.88 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $75,970 | $36.52 |
| Biological Technician | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,090 | $34.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,230 | $48.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1041. 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 epidemiologist make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for epidemiologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $125,320 a year, or $60.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid epidemiologists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of epidemiologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $125,320 a year. The top 25% earn $125,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for epidemiologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,370 a year, and a quarter of epidemiologists earn $82,730 or less.
How many epidemiologists work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 160 epidemiologists are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.