Average Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $142,170. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $117,200, reflecting the high demand and specialized nature of these scientific roles within this dynamic metropolitan region. The concentration of research institutions, biotechnology firms, and a robust innovation ecosystem likely drives this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $142,170 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $198,010.
- Outlook: The job market for Biochemists and Biophysicists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, appears robust, with a local workforce of 1,940 individuals. The Location Quotient of 3.6 indicates a significantly higher concentration of these professionals compared to the national average, suggesting a strong and established presence of this field within the region's economy.
Salary Overview
The average Biochemists and Biophysicists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earns+21.3%above the national average.
$68.4
$2,734
$11,848
Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Biochemists and Biophysicists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, have experienced consistent growth over the past four years. This trend is generally observed in high-demand scientific fields, particularly in major economic hubs, driven by advancements in research, increased funding, and a competitive talent market.
Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary Distribution in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Salary progression for Biochemists and Biophysicists is strongly tied to experience. Entry-level positions typically start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with advanced degrees and a proven track record can command significantly higher salaries. The substantial percentile gaps observed in salary distributions highlight the clear career progression and earning potential available to those who advance in this specialized field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $83,250 | $40 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $106,628 | $51.3 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $140,850 | $67.7 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $177,713 | $85.4 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $198,010 | $95.2 |
Detailed Biochemists and Biophysicists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$142,170
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$142,170
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $142,170 in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is high, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national standard, indicating that the higher pay is offset by the local cost of living.
Job Market Context
1,940
Total Jobs
0.806
Per 1K Jobs
3.6
Location Quotient
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has 3.6x the national concentration of Biochemists and Biophysicists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 3.6, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, exhibits a highly concentrated market for Biochemists and Biophysicists. This suggests that the region is a significant hub for this profession, attracting and retaining a disproportionately large number of these specialists compared to the rest of the country, indicating a competitive but abundant job market.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Biochemists and Biophysicists
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary | $136,480↓ 4% | 42 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Hiring Biochemists and Biophysicistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Biochemists and Biophysicists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median annual salary for a Biochemists and Biophysicists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $142,170. This typically ranges from $83,250 for entry-level positions to $198,010 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 21.3% higher than the national median of $117,200.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a lucrative place for Biochemists and Biophysicists?
Yes, it is a lucrative place for Biochemists and Biophysicists.The average salary of $142,170 is substantially higher than the national average, and the high concentration of these roles (LQ 3.6) points to strong regional demand.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a good place to live for Biochemists and Biophysicists?
The Cost of Living Index in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($136,480) and others.
How does the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Biochemists and Biophysicists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, is $142,170, which is notably higher than the national average of $117,200.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) for this role in the region?
A Location Quotient of 3.6 indicates that Biochemists and Biophysicists are 3.6 times more concentrated in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area than in the nation as a whole, signifying a strong regional specialization.
Does the high salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA translate to higher purchasing power?
While the nominal salary is high, the Cost of Living Index is 100 (national average), meaning the purchasing power of the $142,170 salary is equivalent to the national average, despite the higher nominal wage.
How many Biochemists and Biophysicists work in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area?
There are approximately 1,940 Biochemists and Biophysicists employed within the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,940 employees in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area with a job density of 0.806 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Biochemists and Biophysicists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA