California Median
$139,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$67.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $127,410
State Rank
#2 of 35
3,240 employed here
How much do Biochemists and Biophysicists make in California?
Biochemists and Biophysicists working in California earn a median salary of $139,580 per year, or about $67.11 per hour. That is 10% above the national median of $127,410 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $83,580 while the top 10% make $208,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,920 and $179,990 a year.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,580 | $40.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $105,920 | $50.92 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $139,580 | $67.11 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $179,990 | $86.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,210 | $100.10 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 35 states and territories for Biochemists and Biophysicists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in other states
Florida $157,390Tennessee $134,560Pennsylvania $134,090Connecticut $132,670Massachusetts $131,600New Jersey $122,620District of Columbia $120,090New Hampshire $109,770Michigan $109,340South Carolina $109,080Wisconsin $106,480Virginia $105,780Delaware $101,880Iowa $101,090New York $101,080Maryland $100,650Washington $98,840Kansas $97,850Texas $97,510Ohio $90,000Illinois $87,010Georgia $85,680Maine $84,560Arkansas $82,390North Carolina $82,220Utah $81,990Minnesota $81,280Missouri $79,550Rhode Island $76,710Kentucky $74,710Nevada $69,220Oklahoma $69,130Nebraska $66,910Alabama $48,510
Working as Biochemists and Biophysicists in California
Nationally, about 34,000 people work as Biochemists and Biophysicists in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($139,580) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Biochemists and Biophysicists make in California?
The median Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in California is $139,580 per year, or about $67.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,580 at the entry level to $208,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Biochemists and Biophysicists about 10% more than the national median of $127,410. California ranks 2nd out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Biochemists and Biophysicists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $139,580 a year. About 3,240 Biochemists and Biophysicists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Biochemists and Biophysicists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.