Epidemiologist salary in California
Epidemiologists in California earn a median of $110,760 a year ($53.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,220 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $87,220. California ranks 3rd of 42 states for epidemiologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 epidemiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $118,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for epidemiologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,910 | $34.57 |
| 25th percentile | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| Median | $110,760 | $53.25 |
| 75th percentile | $133,970 | $64.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,220 | $80.87 |
| Average (mean) | $118,540 | $56.99 |
Half of epidemiologists 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 | $9,230 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,615 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,260 |
| Weekly | $2,130 |
| Hourly | $53.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Epidemiologist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,400 | 320 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $125,320 | 160 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $111,960 | 260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,400 | 380 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,350 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $63,840 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for epidemiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 |
| California | $110,760 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 |
| Washington | $108,240 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 |
| Illinois | $102,720 |
| Maryland | $101,830 |
| Nevada | $99,880 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 | $67.11 |
| 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 |
| 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 19-1041. 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 epidemiologist make in California?
The median salary for epidemiologists in California is $110,760 a year, or $53.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid epidemiologists make in California?
The top 10% of epidemiologists in California earn at least $168,220 a year. The top 25% earn $133,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for epidemiologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,910 a year, and a quarter of epidemiologists earn $86,310 or less.
How many epidemiologists work in California?
About 1,480 epidemiologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.