Biological Scientists, All Other pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $69,900 a year or less, while the top 10% make $162,900 or more. The middle half of other biological scientists in San Diego earn between $84,450 and $136,810.
- $70K10th
- $84K25th
- $108KMedian
- $137K75th
- $163K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $116,270 | $9,689 | $55.90 |
| Median | $108,350 | $9,029 | $52.09 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $84,450 | $7,038 | $40.60 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $136,810 | $11,401 | $65.77 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Biological Scientists, All Other pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Other biological scientists in San Diego earn 6% less than the California average ($123,840) and 9% more than the U.S. average ($106,330). At the median the gap is +10% against the U.S. median of $98,920.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $116,270 | $108,350 | $69,900 | $162,900 | 1,960 |
| California | $123,840 | $113,530 | $69,770 | $189,710 | 11,880 |
| United States | $106,330 | $98,920 | $60,430 | $168,010 | 55,850 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Biological Scientists, All Other salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $116,270, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $83,905 a year, or $6,992 a month and $3,227 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for other biological scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $116,270 buys what about $103,917 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 8.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Biological Scientists, All Other salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 5th of 20 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($148,020).
- San Francisco$148,020
- San Jose$142,300
- Santa Maria$122,820
- Santa Rosa$117,530
- San Diego$116,270
- Salinas$110,140
- Vallejo$107,710
- Stockton$105,810
- Oxnard$105,420
- Santa Cruz$105,290
Highest-paying cities for other biological scientists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($148,020).
- San Francisco, CA$148,020
- San Jose, CA$142,300
- New Haven, CT$128,520
- Portland, ME$127,030
- Dayton, OH$126,160
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Biological Scientists, All Other salary in San Diego: questions
How much do other biological scientists make an hour in San Diego?
$55.90 an hour on average, and $52.09 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level other biological scientists salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $69,900 a year and the 25th percentile is $84,450, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the other biological scientists take-home pay in San Diego?
About $83,905 a year ($6,992 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $116,270. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do other biological scientists earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% more than the U.S. average for this job ($106,330).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1029; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 3.54, this job is 3.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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