Biochemists and Biophysicists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$83,580
- 25th Percentile — Junior$105,920
- 50th Percentile — Median$139,580
- 75th Percentile — Senior$179,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$208,210
Half of Biochemists and Biophysicists in California earn more than $139,580. The top 10% make $208,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $83,580.
Biochemists and Biophysicists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 35 states for Biochemists and Biophysicists pay, at $148,550 per year (14.4% above the U.S. average of $129,840).
- 3,240 people work as Biochemists and Biophysicists in California — 9.6% of all U.S. Biochemists and Biophysicists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.82: Biochemists and Biophysicists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $83,580; the top 10% earn over $208,210.
- Hourly equivalent: $71.42 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $157,820.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Biochemists and Biophysicists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Biochemists and Biophysicists here earn $148,550 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $148,550 is roughly equivalent to $104,613 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($157,820), Tennessee ($150,580), Massachusetts ($139,290) are the closest alternatives for Biochemists and Biophysicists 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 +35.9% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +27.5% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California 5.7% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California 10.0% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California 14.3% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California 17.1% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California 17.2% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $116,480/yr California 21.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in California?
The average Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in California is $148,550 per year (median $139,580), which is 14.4% above the national average of $129,840.
How does California rank for Biochemists and Biophysicists pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 35 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($157,820/yr).
How much do entry-level Biochemists and Biophysicists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Biochemists and Biophysicists in California earn about $83,580 per year and the 25th percentile is $105,920.
How much do Biochemists and Biophysicists make per hour in California?
About $71.42 per hour, based on the $148,550 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Biochemists and Biophysicists work in California?
BLS counts 3,240 Biochemists and Biophysicists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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