Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, biological scientists, all others earn $111,220 at the median — $53.47 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $165K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $102,224 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 45.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $111K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About biological scientists, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level biological scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $111K.Top earners bring in $165K or more - a $100K spread from bottom to top.
Biological Scientists, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Track biological scientists, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do biological scientists, all others make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $111,220 a year - that works out to about $53.47 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,350, and experienced biological scientists, all others can clear $165,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $111K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,679/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.8% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (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 $102,224 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.