Life Scientists, All Other Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $87,110 -0.8% vs national
Median hourly $41.88
10th percentile $37,230
90th percentile $167,000
Employed locally 70
National median $87,800

Compare Life Scientists, All Other salary & buying power

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Life Scientists, All Other
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,230
    25th
    $71,700
    50th (median)
    $87,110
    75th
    $128,750
    90th
    $167,000

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Life Scientists, All Other salary vs area income 85% Median Life Scientists, All Other salary is 15% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Life Scientists, All Other

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $175,330
    District of Columbia $164,260
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,810
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $132,500
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $131,110
    Massachusetts $129,210

    Nearby metros — Life Scientists, All Other salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $175,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,810
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $131,110
    California $128,750
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $125,840
    North Carolina $123,500

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Life Scientists, All Other make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Life Scientists, All Other in San Diego, CA is $41.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.47 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Life Scientists, All Other salaries?

    The median Life Scientists, All Other salary in San Diego, CA is 0.8% below the national median of $87,800. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Life Scientists, All Other in San Diego?

    Entry-level Life Scientists, All Other (10th percentile) earn around $37,230 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $71,700.