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Average Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area earn an average annual salary of $113,800. This figure is slightly below the national average of $117,200, suggesting that while the region offers substantial compensation, local market dynamics and specific industry demands may influence pay rates compared to the broader U.S. landscape.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $113,800 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 27.8% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $156,860.
  • Outlook: The local job market for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, comprises approximately 470 professionals. With a Location Quotient of 0.34, the concentration of these roles is below the national average, indicating a less specialized local demand relative to the overall workforce. While the absolute number of jobs per 1,000 workers is 0.076, the lower LQ suggests that opportunities might be more niche or integrated within broader scientific sectors rather than standalone specialized positions.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$113,800

The average Biochemists and Biophysicists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA earns-2.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$54.7

Weekly

$2,188

Monthly

$9,483

Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary Distribution in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Career progression for Biochemists and Biophysicists typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, but as professionals gain expertise, develop specialized skills, and take on more complex research or leadership roles, their earning potential expands considerably. The widening gap between entry-level and senior-level salaries, often reflected in percentile data, clearly signifies the value placed on accumulated knowledge and proven track record in this field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$75,420$36.3
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$85,350$41
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$103,960$50
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$142,250$68.4
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$156,860$75.4

Detailed Biochemists and Biophysicists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$113,800

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$113,800

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $113,800 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of a Biochemist or Biophysicist's salary in this metropolitan area is equivalent to the national standard, offering a stable financial foundation without the immediate pressure of significantly higher or lower living expenses.

Job Market Context

470

Total Jobs

0.076

Per 1K Jobs

0.34

Location Quotient

Low Concentration

At 0.34x, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA has a notably lower concentration of Biochemists and Biophysicists jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.

A Location Quotient of 0.34 for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, indicates that this profession is less concentrated locally compared to the national average. This suggests that while opportunities exist, the market is not saturated, and demand may be more specialized or integrated within larger research and development ecosystems. Professionals in this field may find a competitive but not overly crowded landscape, with potential for growth in emerging biotech hubs within the region.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Biochemists and Biophysicists

Comparing salaries near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Hiring Biochemists and Biophysicistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Biochemists and Biophysicists make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

The median annual salary for a Biochemists and Biophysicists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $113,800. This typically ranges from $75,420 for entry-level positions to $156,860 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 2.9% lower than the national median of $117,200.

Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a lucrative place for Biochemists and Biophysicists?

Yes, with caveats.The average salary of $113,800 is substantial and matches the national cost of living, offering good purchasing power. However, it is slightly below the national average salary for the profession, indicating potential for higher earnings elsewhere.

Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a good place to live for Biochemists and Biophysicists?

The Cost of Living Index in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($109,890) and others.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $113,800, which is slightly lower than the national average of $117,200.

What is the concentration of Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Los Angeles area?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.34, which is significantly below the national average of 1.0, indicating a lower relative presence of this profession in the local workforce.

How does the cost of living in Los Angeles affect the salary?

The cost of living in Los Angeles is at the national average (index of 100), meaning the $113,800 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it a stable financial proposition.

What does the total local workforce size suggest about job availability?

With a total local workforce of 470 Biochemists and Biophysicists, the absolute number of professionals is moderate, and combined with the low Location Quotient, it suggests a specialized rather than a broadly abundant job market.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 470 employees in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area with a job density of 0.076 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.