Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Salary
The median pay for a social scientists and related workers, all other in California is $97,900/year ($47.07/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $147K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $92,237 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 40.2% 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 $98K get you in California?
About social scientists and related workers, all others
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What this looks like in California
Social scientists and related workers, all other pay in California tracks closely to the national median, $98K locally vs. $101K nationwide, a 3% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,471/month, which is 41.2% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. 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 social scientists and related workers, all others (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K. Top earners bring in $147K or more, a $81K spread from bottom to top.
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other salary by metro in California
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano | $113K | +15% | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $105K | +7% | 340 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $103K | +6% | 210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $101K | +3% | 400 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $101K | +3% | 710 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $94K | -4% | 450 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $93K | -5% | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $92K | -6% | 120 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $87K | -11% | 130 |
| Fresno | $87K | -11% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track social scientists and related workers, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social scientists and related workers, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $98K, rent takes 41.2% 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 $1,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for social scientists and related workers, all others in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social scientists and related workers, all others typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,982/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 62% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is social scientists and related workers, all other a high-paying job in California?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $98K locally vs. $101K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does California compare to the national average for social scientists and related workers, all others?
California pays $98K median vs. the U.S. average of $101K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $92K — below the national median.
How much do social scientists and related workers, all others make in California?
The median is $97,900 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,370, and experienced social scientists and related workers, all others can clear $147,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,001/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 41.2% 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 social scientists and related workers, all other 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 social scientists and related workers, all other salary is worth about $92,237 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do social scientists and related workers, 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.