Biological Technician salary in California
Biological Technicians in California earn a median of $71,440 a year ($34.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,670 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $57,510. California ranks 1st of 51 states for biological technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.51 biological technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biological technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| 25th percentile | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| Median | $71,440 | $34.34 |
| 75th percentile | $93,010 | $44.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,670 | $58.50 |
| Average (mean) | $78,170 | $37.58 |
Half of biological technicians 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 | $5,953.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,976.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,747.69 |
| Weekly | $1,373.85 |
| Hourly | $34.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Biological Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $95,220 | 2,690 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $72,940 | 790 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $67,060 | 1,770 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $66,610 | 1,830 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $66,240 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $66,110 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,410 | 710 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,470 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $60,360 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | $59,320 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,240 | 80 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $58,070 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,450 | 110 |
| Visalia, CA | $41,080 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for biological technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $71,440 |
| New Jersey | $66,040 |
| District of Columbia | $64,770 |
| Connecticut | $62,360 |
| Massachusetts | $62,070 |
| North Carolina | $61,720 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $60,800 |
| Maine | $60,160 |
| Colorado | $59,400 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Agricultural Technician | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| Nuclear Technician | $99,270 | $47.72 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
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 19-4021. 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 biological technician make in California?
The median salary for biological technicians in California is $71,440 a year, or $34.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biological technicians make in California?
The top 10% of biological technicians in California earn at least $121,670 a year. The top 25% earn $93,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for biological technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,700 a year, and a quarter of biological technicians earn $56,200 or less.
How many biological technicians work in California?
About 9,210 biological technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.