Mathematician salary in California
Mathematicians in California earn a median of $126,710 a year ($60.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,020 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $126,710. California ranks 6th of 12 states for mathematicians pay. There are 0.01 mathematicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $129,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mathematicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,230 | $39.05 |
| 25th percentile | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Median | $126,710 | $60.92 |
| 75th percentile | $156,480 | $75.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,020 | $87.51 |
| Average (mean) | $129,110 | $62.07 |
Half of mathematicians 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 | $10,559.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,279.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,873.46 |
| Weekly | $2,436.73 |
| Hourly | $60.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mathematician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $156,480 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mathematicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $162,280 |
| Virginia | $148,030 |
| Maryland | $131,810 |
| Illinois | $130,970 |
| New York | $126,950 |
| California | $126,710 |
| Rhode Island | $109,260 |
| Massachusetts | $104,190 |
| Nevada | $102,890 |
| Indiana | $88,050 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $141,590 | $68.07 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Statistician | $135,960 | $65.36 |
| Actuary | $130,510 | $62.75 |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | $180,500 | $86.78 |
| Software Developer | $174,410 | $83.85 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,720 | $61.40 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $128,740 | $61.89 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $136,110 | $65.44 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,570 | $66.62 |
| Computer Network Architect | $158,870 | $76.38 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-2021. 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 mathematician make in California?
The median salary for mathematicians in California is $126,710 a year, or $60.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mathematicians make in California?
The top 10% of mathematicians in California earn at least $182,020 a year. The top 25% earn $156,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for mathematicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,230 a year, and a quarter of mathematicians earn $101,230 or less.
How many mathematicians work in California?
About 250 mathematicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.