Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in California
Biochemists and Biophysicists in California earn a median of $139,580 a year ($67.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,210 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $127,410. California ranks 2nd of 35 states for biochemists and biophysicists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.18 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $148,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| 25th percentile | $105,920 | $50.93 |
| Median | $139,580 | $67.11 |
| 75th percentile | $179,990 | $86.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,210 | $100.10 |
| Average (mean) | $148,550 | $71.42 |
Half of biochemists and biophysicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,631.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,815.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,368.46 |
| Weekly | $2,684.23 |
| Hourly | $67.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $165,050 | 1,380 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $131,700 | 580 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,490 | 30 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $124,050 | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $121,740 | 710 |
Highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 |
| California | $139,580 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 |
| Michigan | $109,340 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Microbiologist | $108,530 | $52.18 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,950 | $45.17 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,810 | $38.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $110,760 | $53.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,930 | $44.20 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $102,830 | $49.44 |
| Forester | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biochemists and biophysicists make in California?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in California is $139,580 a year, or $67.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in California?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in California earn at least $208,210 a year. The top 25% earn $179,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,580 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $105,920 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in California?
About 3,240 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.