SOC 19-1029 · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro

Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in San Francisco, CA

The average salary for other biological scientists in San Francisco, California is $148,020 a year ($71.16 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $138,160: half of the 4,280 people in this job in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 39% more than the U.S. average for this job ($106,330).

$148,020average per year

$71.16 / hourMedian $138,160Take-home ≈ $102,764

  • $84K10th
  • $102K25th
  • $138KMedian
  • $174K75th
  • $216K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

4,280people in this job
+39%vs U.S. average
#1 of 20California metros
116cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Biological Scientists, All Other pay range in San Francisco

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $84,200 a year or less, while the top 10% make $215,860 or more. The middle half of other biological scientists in San Francisco earn between $102,300 and $174,140.

  • $84K10th
  • $102K25th
  • $138KMedian
  • $174K75th
  • $216K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$148,020$12,335$71.16
Median$138,160$11,513$66.42
Entry level (25th percentile)$102,300$8,525$49.18
Experienced (75th percentile)$174,140$14,512$83.72

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Biological Scientists, All Other pay in San Francisco vs. California and the U.S.

Other biological scientists in San Francisco earn 20% more than the California average ($123,840) and 39% more than the U.S. average ($106,330). At the median the gap is +40% against the U.S. median of $98,920.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
San Francisco$148,020$138,160$84,200$215,8604,280
California$123,840$113,530$69,770$189,71011,880
United States$106,330$98,920$60,430$168,01055,850

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 Francisco

On the average salary of $148,020, a single filer in San Francisco takes home about $102,764 a year, or $8,564 a month and $3,952 every two weeks. Taxes take 31% 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.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is San Francisco a good place for other biological scientists? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the San Francisco area are 16% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 115.6), so the average $148,020 buys what about $128,031 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.9 times the median wage of all jobs in San Francisco ($74,260). A typical home costs $1,149,215, or 7.8 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $148,020 is worth in another city

Biological Scientists, All Other salary in other California cities

San Francisco ranks 1st of 20 California metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Biological Scientists, All Other salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for other biological scientists

San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($148,020).

Biological Scientists, All Other salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Biological Scientists, All Other in San Francisco, CA.

Biological Scientists, All Other salary in San Francisco: questions

How much do other biological scientists make an hour in San Francisco?

$71.16 an hour on average, and $66.42 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level other biological scientists salary in San Francisco?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $84,200 a year and the 25th percentile is $102,300, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the other biological scientists take-home pay in San Francisco?

About $102,764 a year ($8,564 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $148,020. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do other biological scientists earn more in San Francisco than elsewhere?

The average here is 39% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (41860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
  • 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 5.01, this job is 5.0 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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