California Median
$136,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$65.86
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+32% vs US median
US median $103,410
State Rank
#1 of 46
29,830 employed here
How much does a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists make in California?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in California take home a median of $136,990 annually — roughly $65.86 an hour — which runs 32% above the national median of $103,410.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $81,320 while the top 10% make $180,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,570 and $162,020 a year.
Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,320 | $39.10 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $109,570 | $52.68 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $136,990 | $65.86 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $162,020 | $77.89 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,060 | $86.57 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 46 states and territories for Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists salary in other states
New Jersey $129,280Massachusetts $128,210Connecticut $116,990Arizona $116,820Oregon $111,030Maryland $106,000Washington $105,680Alaska $104,930Rhode Island $103,370North Carolina $102,980Tennessee $102,720Missouri $102,540Montana $101,950District of Columbia $101,940New Hampshire $100,650Delaware $100,190Pennsylvania $99,190Nevada $98,560Florida $94,940Maine $93,730Virginia $93,620Georgia $92,450Minnesota $89,950New York $87,760Kansas $84,490Michigan $84,310Ohio $83,910Iowa $83,850Idaho $83,010Utah $82,940West Virginia $82,690Wisconsin $82,530Illinois $82,330Indiana $81,110Nebraska $80,970South Dakota $80,890Texas $80,470Kentucky $77,580Oklahoma $76,480Arkansas $72,530Alabama $68,490New Mexico $67,100Vermont $66,500North Dakota $64,470Mississippi $54,040
Working as a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists in California
Nationally, about 172,000 people work as Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($136,990) 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 Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists make in California?
The median Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists salary in California is $136,990 per year, or about $65.86 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $81,320 at the entry level to $180,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists about 32% more than the national median of $103,410. California ranks 1st out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $136,990 a year. About 29,830 Medical Scientists, Except 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 Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists salary report
Related salaries
$117,790
median pay · 8,000 employed
$76,400
median pay · 10,000 employed
$62,280
median pay · 74,000 employed
$95,990
median pay · 64,000 employed
$69,460
median pay · 8,000 employed
$106,030
median pay · 2,000 employed
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.