SOC 19-1042 · Salinas, CA metro

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists Salary in Salinas, CA

The average salary for medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in Salinas, California is $132,800 a year ($63.85 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $138,590: half of the 100 people in this job in the Salinas, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 14% more than the U.S. average for this job ($116,840).

$132,800average per year

$63.85 / hourMedian $138,590Take-home ≈ $93,776

  • $94K10th
  • $128K25th
  • $139KMedian
  • $142K75th
  • $161K90th

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

100people in this job
+14%vs U.S. average
#12 of 21California metros
109cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay range in Salinas

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $94,060 a year or less, while the top 10% make $160,710 or more. The middle half of medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in Salinas earn between $127,620 and $141,950.

  • $94K10th
  • $128K25th
  • $139KMedian
  • $142K75th
  • $161K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$132,800$11,067$63.85
Median$138,590$11,549$66.63
Entry level (25th percentile)$127,620$10,635$61.36
Experienced (75th percentile)$141,950$11,829$68.25

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

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay in Salinas vs. California and the U.S.

Medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in Salinas earn 5% less than the California average ($140,120) and 14% more than the U.S. average ($116,840). At the median the gap is +34% against the U.S. median of $103,410.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Salinas$132,800$138,590$94,060$160,710100
California$140,120$136,990$81,320$180,06029,830
United States$116,840$103,410$64,800$177,780172,340

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary after taxes in Salinas

On the average salary of $132,800, a single filer in Salinas takes home about $93,776 a year, or $7,815 a month and $3,607 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% 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 Salinas a good place for medical scientists (except epidemiologists)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Salinas area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 109.0), so the average $132,800 buys what about $121,788 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Salinas ($47,380). A typical home costs $850,461, or 6.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $132,800 is worth in another city

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in other California cities

Salinas ranks 12th of 21 California metro areas for this job; Vallejo pays the most ($162,840).

All Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for medical scientists (except epidemiologists)

Syracuse, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($182,580).

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary by city

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Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in Salinas: questions

How much do medical scientists (except epidemiologists) make an hour in Salinas?

$63.85 an hour on average, and $66.63 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level medical scientists (except epidemiologists) salary in Salinas?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $94,060 a year and the 25th percentile is $127,620, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the medical scientists (except epidemiologists) take-home pay in Salinas?

About $93,776 a year ($7,815 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $132,800. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do medical scientists (except epidemiologists) earn more in Salinas than elsewhere?

The average here is 14% more than the U.S. average for this job ($116,840).

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 19-1042; area Salinas, CA (41500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
  • 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 0.48, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.48).

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