Mathematician Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Mathematicians in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$126,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $126,710
State Rank
#6 of 12
250 employed here

How much does a Mathematician make in California?

A Mathematician working in California earns a median salary of $126,710 per year, or about $60.92 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $126,710 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $81,230 while the top 10% make $182,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $101,230 and $156,480 a year.

Mathematician salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$81,230$39.05
25th percentile (early career)$101,230$48.67
50th percentile (median)$126,710$60.92
75th percentile (experienced)$156,480$75.23
90th percentile (top earners)$182,020$87.51

How California compares

California ranks 6th out of 12 states and territories for Mathematician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$162,280
2Virginia$148,030
3Maryland$131,810
4Illinois$130,970
5New York$126,950

Working as a Mathematician in California

Nationally, about 2,000 people work as Mathematicians in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($126,710) 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 Mathematician make in California?
The median Mathematician salary in California is $126,710 per year, or about $60.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $81,230 at the entry level to $182,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Mathematicians about 0% more than the national median of $126,710. California ranks 6th out of 12 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Mathematicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $126,710 a year. About 250 Mathematicians 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 Mathematician 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.