Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $93,650 +0.3% vs national
Median hourly $45.02
10th percentile $61,010
90th percentile $166,650
Employed locally 50
National median $93,330

Compare Biological Scientists, All Other salary & buying power

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Biological Scientists, All Other
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,010
    25th
    $77,130
    50th (median)
    $93,650
    75th
    $126,150
    90th
    $166,650

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Biological Scientists, All Other salary vs area income 86% Median Biological Scientists, All Other salary is 14% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Biological Scientists, All Other

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Boulder, CO $137,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $132,670
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $132,630
    Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI $131,250
    New Haven, CT $124,400
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $123,080

    Nearby metros — Biological Scientists, All Other salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $132,670
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $132,630
    California $112,010
    Vallejo, CA $111,840
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $111,220
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $106,550

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $79,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $144,660
    Urban and Regional Planners $109,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $86,680
    Biological Technicians $59,200
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Biological Scientists, All Other make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Biological Scientists, All Other in Santa Cruz, CA is $45.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.47 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Biological Scientists, All Other salaries?

    The median Biological Scientists, All Other salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 0.3% above the national median of $93,330. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Biological Scientists, All Other in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Biological Scientists, All Other (10th percentile) earn around $61,010 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,130.