Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,730 a year or less, while the top 10% make $166,920 or more. The middle half of medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in San Diego earn between $101,180 and $153,650.
- $79K10th
- $101K25th
- $131KMedian
- $154K75th
- $167K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $129,060 | $10,755 | $62.05 |
| Median | $130,980 | $10,915 | $62.97 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $101,180 | $8,432 | $48.64 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $153,650 | $12,804 | $73.87 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in San Diego earn 8% less than the California average ($140,120) and 10% more than the U.S. average ($116,840). At the median the gap is +27% against the U.S. median of $103,410.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $129,060 | $130,980 | $78,730 | $166,920 | 4,960 |
| California | $140,120 | $136,990 | $81,320 | $180,060 | 29,830 |
| United States | $116,840 | $103,410 | $64,800 | $177,780 | 172,340 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $129,060, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $91,568 a year, or $7,631 a month and $3,522 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.
Is San Diego a good place for medical scientists (except epidemiologists)? 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 $129,060 buys what about $115,349 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.2 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 7.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 16th of 21 California metro areas for this job; Vallejo pays the most ($162,840).
- Vallejo$162,840
- San Francisco$157,540
- San Jose$154,410
- Santa Rosa$149,990
- Chico$148,730
- Stockton$144,260
- Modesto$142,460
- Santa Cruz$140,520
- Sacramento$136,940
- San Diego$129,060
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).
- Syracuse, NY$182,580
- Vallejo, CA$162,840
- Topeka, KS$162,650
- Charleston, SC$160,640
- San Francisco, CA$157,540
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Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in San Diego: questions
How much do medical scientists (except epidemiologists) make an hour in San Diego?
$62.05 an hour on average, and $62.97 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level medical scientists (except epidemiologists) salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,730 a year and the 25th percentile is $101,180, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the medical scientists (except epidemiologists) take-home pay in San Diego?
About $91,568 a year ($7,631 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $129,060. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do medical scientists (except epidemiologists) earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 10% 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.1%.
- 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 2.91, this job is 2.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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