Medical Scientists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$81,320
- 25th Percentile — Junior$109,570
- 50th Percentile — Median$136,990
- 75th Percentile — Senior$162,020
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$180,060
Half of Medical Scientists in California earn more than $136,990. The top 10% make $180,060 or more, while entry-level workers start around $81,320.
Medical Scientists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 46 states for Medical Scientists pay, at $140,120 per year (19.9% above the U.S. average of $116,840).
- 29,830 people work as Medical Scientists in California — 17.3% of all U.S. Medical Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.48: Medical Scientists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $81,320; the top 10% earn over $180,060.
- Hourly equivalent: $67.37 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Medical 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. Medical Scientists here earn $140,120 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $140,120 is roughly equivalent to $98,676 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Jersey ($138,450), Massachusetts ($133,550), Oregon ($128,970) are the closest alternatives for Medical 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 +44.1% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +35.2% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +6.0% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California 4.6% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California 9.1% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California 12.2% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California 12.3% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $116,480/yr California 16.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Medical Scientists salary in California?
The average Medical Scientists salary in California is $140,120 per year (median $136,990), which is 19.9% above the national average of $116,840.
How does California rank for Medical Scientists pay?
California ranks 1st out of 46 states. The highest-paying state is California ($140,120/yr).
How much do entry-level Medical Scientists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Medical Scientists in California earn about $81,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $109,570.
How much do Medical Scientists make per hour in California?
About $67.37 per hour, based on the $140,120 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Medical Scientists work in California?
BLS counts 29,830 Medical Scientists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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