Animal Scientists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$71,614
- 25th Percentile — Junior$106,163
- 50th Percentile — Median$97,895
- 75th Percentile — Senior$183,897
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$216,862
Half of Animal Scientists in California earn more than $97,895. The top 10% make $216,862 or more, while entry-level workers start around $71,614.
Animal Scientists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- California ranks 4th of 51 states for Animal Scientists pay, at $125,457 per year (42.0% above the U.S. average of $88,350).
- 140 people work as Animal Scientists in California — 4.5% of all U.S. Animal Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.37: Animal Scientists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $71,614; the top 10% earn over $216,862.
- Hourly equivalent: $60.32 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $136,942.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Animal Scientists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Animal Scientists here earn $125,457 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $125,457 is roughly equivalent to $88,350 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($136,942), District of Columbia ($134,292), Texas ($129,960) are the closest alternatives for Animal Scientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +61.0% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +51.0% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +18.4% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +11.7% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +6.6% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +1.5% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California 1.9% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California 2.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Animal Scientists salary in California?
The average Animal Scientists salary in California is $125,457 per year (median $97,895), which is 42.0% above the national average of $88,350.
How does California rank for Animal Scientists pay?
California ranks 4th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($136,942/yr).
How much do entry-level Animal Scientists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Animal Scientists in California earn about $71,614 per year and the 25th percentile is $106,163.
How much do Animal Scientists make per hour in California?
About $60.32 per hour, based on the $125,457 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Animal Scientists work in California?
BLS counts 140 Animal Scientists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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