Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in California
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in California earn a median of $136,990 a year ($65.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 29,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $180,060 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $103,410. California ranks 1st of 46 states for medical scientists, except epidemiologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.6 medical scientists, except epidemiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $140,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,320 | $39.10 |
| 25th percentile | $109,570 | $52.68 |
| Median | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| 75th percentile | $162,020 | $77.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,060 | $86.57 |
| Average (mean) | $140,120 | $67.36 |
Half of medical scientists, except 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 | $11,415.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,707.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,268.85 |
| Weekly | $2,634.42 |
| Hourly | $65.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $168,860 | 130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $160,180 | 7,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,300 | 2,150 |
| Chico, CA | $155,470 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $145,340 | 150 |
| Modesto, CA | $143,760 | 160 |
| Salinas, CA | $138,590 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $138,390 | 1,150 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $138,050 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $137,640 | 1,120 |
| Fresno, CA | $137,080 | 360 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,890 | 8,520 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $134,060 | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $132,110 | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $130,980 | 4,960 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $129,910 | 250 |
| Visalia, CA | $129,480 | 100 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $128,620 | 270 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $125,070 | 70 |
| Redding, CA | $123,510 | 50 |
| El Centro, CA | $119,480 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for medical scientists, except epidemiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $136,990 |
| New Jersey | $129,280 |
| Massachusetts | $128,210 |
| Connecticut | $116,990 |
| Arizona | $116,820 |
| Oregon | $111,030 |
| Maryland | $106,000 |
| Washington | $105,680 |
| Alaska | $104,930 |
| Rhode Island | $103,370 |
See Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 19-1042. 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 medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in California?
The median salary for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in California is $136,990 a year, or $65.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $180,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in California?
The top 10% of medical scientists, except epidemiologists in California earn at least $180,060 a year. The top 25% earn $162,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,320 a year, and a quarter of medical scientists, except epidemiologists earn $109,570 or less.
How many medical scientists, except epidemiologists work in California?
About 29,830 medical scientists, except epidemiologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.