Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $128,620 a year ($61.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,930 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $103,410. Pay here is 6% lower than the California statewide median of $136,990. There are 1.4 medical scientists, except epidemiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $136,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| 25th percentile | $111,010 | $53.37 |
| Median | $128,620 | $61.84 |
| 75th percentile | $152,330 | $73.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,930 | $94.20 |
| Average (mean) | $136,900 | $65.82 |
Half of medical scientists, except 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 | $10,718.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,359.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,946.92 |
| Weekly | $2,473.46 |
| Hourly | $61.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $128,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $168,860 | 130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $160,180 | 7,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,300 | 2,150 |
| Chico, CA | $155,470 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $145,340 | 150 |
| Modesto, CA | $143,760 | 160 |
| Salinas, CA | $138,590 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $138,390 | 1,150 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $138,050 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $137,640 | 1,120 |
| Fresno, CA | $137,080 | 360 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,890 | 8,520 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $134,060 | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $132,110 | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $130,980 | 4,960 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $129,910 | 250 |
| Visalia, CA | $129,480 | 100 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $125,070 | 70 |
| Redding, CA | $123,510 | 50 |
| El Centro, CA | $119,480 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for medical scientists, except epidemiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $136,990 |
| New Jersey | $129,280 |
| Massachusetts | $128,210 |
| Connecticut | $116,990 |
| Arizona | $116,820 |
| Oregon | $111,030 |
| Maryland | $106,000 |
| Washington | $105,680 |
| Alaska | $104,930 |
| Rhode Island | $103,370 |
See Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,500 | $50.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $105,230 | $50.59 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $87,260 | $41.95 |
| Chemist | $85,930 | $41.31 |
| School Psychologist | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $66,340 | $31.90 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| Biological Technician | $66,110 | $31.79 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1042. 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 medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $128,620 a year, or $61.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of medical scientists, except epidemiologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $195,930 a year. The top 25% earn $152,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,810 a year, and a quarter of medical scientists, except epidemiologists earn $111,010 or less.
How many medical scientists, except epidemiologists work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 270 medical scientists, except epidemiologists are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.