Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists Salary
The median pay for a medical scientists, except epidemiologists in California is $136,990/year ($65.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $180K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $129,065 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 30.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $137K get you in California?
About medical scientists, except epidemiologists
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for medical scientists, except epidemiologists, local pay runs about 32% higher than the U.S. median of $103K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level medical scientists, except epidemiologists (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K. Top earners bring in $180K or more, a $99K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary by metro in California
21 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo | $169K | +23% | 130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $160K | +17% | 7,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $159K | +16% | 2,150 |
| Chico | $155K | +13% | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $145K | +6% | 150 |
| Modesto | $144K | +5% | 160 |
| Salinas | $139K | +1% | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $138K | +1% | 1,150 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $138K | +1% | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $138K | +0% | 1,120 |
| Fresno | $137K | +0% | 360 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $135K | -2% | 8,520 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $134K | -2% | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $132K | -4% | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $131K | -4% | 4,960 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $130K | -5% | 250 |
| Visalia | $129K | -5% | 100 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $129K | -6% | 270 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $125K | -9% | 70 |
| Redding | $124K | -10% | 50 |
| El Centro | $119K | -13% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 21 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a medical scientists, except epidemiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $137K, rent takes 31% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new medical scientists, except epidemiologists typically earn — is $81K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,879/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 51% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is medical scientists, except epidemiologist a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 32% above the national median — $137K here vs. $103K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for medical scientists, except epidemiologists?
California pays $137K median vs. the U.S. average of $103K — that’s +32%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $129K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in California?
The median is $136,990 a year, that works out to about $66 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,320, and experienced medical scientists, except epidemiologists can clear $180,060. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,959/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 31% 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 medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (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 medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary is worth about $129,065 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical scientists, except epidemiologists 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.