California Median
$102,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $93,750
State Rank
#10 of 32
860 employed here
How much does a Life Scientist, All Other make in California?
A Life Scientist, All Other working in California earns a median salary of $102,830 per year, or about $49.44 per hour. That is 10% above the national median of $93,750 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $62,910 while the top 10% make $187,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,880 and $143,590 a year.
Life Scientist, All Other salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,910 | $30.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $79,880 | $38.40 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $102,830 | $49.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $143,590 | $69.03 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $187,550 | $90.17 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 10th out of 32 states and territories for Life Scientist, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Life Scientist, All Other salary in other states
South Carolina $169,440District of Columbia $167,640Massachusetts $125,260Arizona $122,580Oregon $113,450Alabama $110,560Maryland $109,700Tennessee $108,770New Jersey $103,890Washington $100,420Florida $91,900New York $86,790Wisconsin $85,080Georgia $83,990Pennsylvania $83,680Alaska $82,220New Hampshire $81,610Virginia $81,600Texas $81,230Missouri $79,780Louisiana $76,480Kentucky $75,670Hawaii $71,990Indiana $69,410Idaho $68,990Colorado $66,250Illinois $66,190Minnesota $64,610Iowa $64,270Michigan $63,960Ohio $62,950
Working as a Life Scientist, All Other in California
Nationally, about 7,000 people work as Life Scientists, All Other in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($102,830) 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 a Life Scientist, All Other make in California?
The median Life Scientist, All Other salary in California is $102,830 per year, or about $49.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,910 at the entry level to $187,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Life Scientists, All Other about 10% more than the national median of $93,750. California ranks 10th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Life Scientists, All Other?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $102,830 a year. About 860 Life Scientists, All Other 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 Life Scientist, All Other 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.