Life Scientists, All Other salary in California
Life Scientists, All Other in California earn a median of $102,830 a year ($49.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 860 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $187,550 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $93,750. California ranks 10th of 32 states for life scientists, all other pay. There are 0.05 life scientists, all other per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $117,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for life scientists, all other in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,910 | $30.25 |
| 25th percentile | $79,880 | $38.41 |
| Median | $102,830 | $49.44 |
| 75th percentile | $143,590 | $69.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $187,550 | $90.17 |
| Average (mean) | $117,510 | $56.50 |
Half of life scientists, all other 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 | $8,569.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,284.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,955 |
| Weekly | $1,977.50 |
| Hourly | $49.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Life Scientists, All Other salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $134,810 | 170 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $125,430 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,740 | 230 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $100,720 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $80,120 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for life scientists, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | $169,440 |
| District of Columbia | $167,640 |
| Massachusetts | $125,260 |
| Arizona | $122,580 |
| Oregon | $113,450 |
| Alabama | $110,560 |
| Maryland | $109,700 |
| Tennessee | $108,770 |
| New Jersey | $103,890 |
| California | $102,830 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 | $67.11 |
| Microbiologist | $108,530 | $52.18 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,950 | $45.17 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,810 | $38.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $110,760 | $53.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,930 | $44.20 |
| Forester | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1099. 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 life scientists, all other make in California?
The median salary for life scientists, all other in California is $102,830 a year, or $49.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $187,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid life scientists, all other make in California?
The top 10% of life scientists, all other in California earn at least $187,550 a year. The top 25% earn $143,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for life scientists, all other in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,910 a year, and a quarter of life scientists, all other earn $79,880 or less.
How many life scientists, all other work in California?
About 860 life scientists, all other are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.