California Median
$110,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$53.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+27% vs US median
US median $87,220
State Rank
#3 of 42
1,480 employed here
How much does an Epidemiologist make in California?
Epidemiologists in California take home a median of $110,760 annually — roughly $53.25 an hour — which runs 27% above the national median of $87,220.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $71,910 while the top 10% make $168,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,310 and $133,970 a year.
Epidemiologist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,910 | $34.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $86,310 | $41.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $110,760 | $53.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $133,970 | $64.41 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,220 | $80.88 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 42 states and territories for Epidemiologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Epidemiologist salary in other states
Massachusetts $115,890District of Columbia $112,370New Jersey $109,760Washington $108,240Minnesota $104,460Illinois $102,720Maryland $101,830Nevada $99,880Tennessee $97,310Oregon $93,620Wisconsin $88,770Pennsylvania $87,860Michigan $84,990Virginia $84,930North Carolina $84,770South Carolina $84,660Connecticut $83,670Nebraska $83,240New York $80,220New Mexico $79,980Iowa $79,880Kansas $79,620Montana $79,500Florida $79,460Kentucky $78,810Indiana $77,250Texas $77,170Utah $76,960Hawaii $76,780Ohio $76,480Alabama $74,740Louisiana $73,850Colorado $73,750Oklahoma $72,590Georgia $70,880West Virginia $70,540Maine $68,850Arizona $67,260Missouri $66,890Idaho $66,280Mississippi $56,930
Working as an Epidemiologist in California
Nationally, about 12,000 people work as Epidemiologists in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($110,760) 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 does an Epidemiologist make in California?
The median Epidemiologist salary in California is $110,760 per year, or about $53.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $71,910 at the entry level to $168,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Epidemiologists about 27% more than the national median of $87,220. California ranks 3rd out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Epidemiologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $110,760 a year. About 1,480 Epidemiologists 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 Epidemiologist 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.