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Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, biological scientists, all others earn $105,160 at the median, or about $50.56 an hour. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $93,985 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 46.4% of take-home, which is tight.

$105K
Median annual
$50.56/hr
Hourly rate
$67K
Entry level (10th %)
$158K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $105K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?

Estimated take-home pay$6,371/mo
Rent (2BR median)-$3,001/mo
Rent as % of take-home47.1% ⚠ above 30% guideline
Groceries-$439/mo
Utilities-$219/mo
Transportation-$385/mo
Healthcare *-$255/mo
Left over$2,072/mo

Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad’s Regional Price Parity (111.89). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.

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About biological scientists, all others

Education: Bachelor's degree
U.S. employed: 59,710
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA employed: 2,450
Category: Science

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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Bar chart showing Biological Scientists, All Other salary percentiles in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA: 10th percentile $67,160, 25th percentile $93,800, median $105,160, 75th percentile $148,160, 90th percentile $157,840. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$67K25th$94KMedian$105K75th$148K90th$158K
Bar chart showing Biological Scientists, All Other salary percentiles in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA: 10th percentile $67,160, 25th percentile $93,800, median $105,160, 75th percentile $148,160, 90th percentile $157,840. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level biological scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K. Top earners bring in $158K or more, a $91K spread from bottom to top.

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Biological Scientists, All Other pay across states

Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure

StateMedian salaryvs. nationalEmployment
Connecticut$121K+30%310
Maryland$116K+24%5,220
California$112K+20%12,580
New Jersey$103K+10%670
Massachusetts$101K+8%2,450
Rhode Island$99K+6%110
Alaska$98K+5%420
North Carolina$97K+4%3,020
Washington$96K+3%1,870
Pennsylvania$96K+2%2,600
Hawaii$95K+1%350
New York$93K-0%2,610
Georgia$92K-2%1,520
Utah$90K-4%510
Arizona$89K-5%620
Wyoming$87K-7%210
Indiana$87K-7%850
South Carolina$87K-7%280
Oregon$86K-8%720
Montana$85K-9%520
Mississippi$85K-9%360
Maine$85K-9%260
Virginia$83K-11%1,950
District of Columbia$83K-11%900
West Virginia$83K-11%240
New Hampshire$82K-12%240
Kansas$82K-12%430
Michigan$81K-13%900
Texas$81K-13%2,600
Alabama$80K-14%250
Idaho$80K-15%490
Iowa$79K-15%670
Illinois$79K-16%1,090
New Mexico$78K-16%550
Ohio$78K-16%470
Minnesota$78K-17%960
Wisconsin$78K-17%850
Delaware$77K-18%30
Oklahoma$77K-18%280
Vermont$76K-18%90
Nebraska$76K-19%230
Arkansas$75K-20%370
North Dakota$75K-20%200
Kentucky$75K-20%280
Nevada$74K-21%510
Tennessee$73K-22%530
Louisiana$70K-25%550
South Dakota$67K-28%180
Florida$65K-30%2,380
Missouri$63K-32%2,560
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Showing 1–10 of 50 states

BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small

Track biological scientists, all other salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do biological scientists, all others make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The median is $105,160 a year, that works out to about $51 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,160, and experienced biological scientists, all others can clear $157,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $105K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,371/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month, which eats 47.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.

How far does a biological scientists, all other salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median biological scientists, all other salary is worth about $93,985 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do biological scientists, all others get paid the most?

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.

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