Average Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Biological Scientists, All Other in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $139,920. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $105,580, reflecting the high demand and specialized nature of scientific roles within this tech-centric region. The concentration of research institutions and biotechnology firms in the Bay Area drives this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $139,920 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 14.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $197,000.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 730 Biological Scientists, All Other, and a Location Quotient of 1.66, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metropolitan area demonstrates a robust concentration of these professionals compared to the national average. This indicates a strong and established presence of the industry, suggesting a healthy job market with ongoing demand for skilled individuals in this field.
Salary Overview
The average Biological Scientists, All Other in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+32.5%above the national average.
$67.3
$2,691
$11,660
Biological Scientists, All Other Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that the salaries for Biological Scientists, All Other in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara have experienced consistent growth over the past four years. Factors such as inflation, advancements in scientific research, and increasing industry investment typically contribute to upward salary trends in specialized fields like biological sciences, particularly in a high-cost, innovation-driven region.
Biological Scientists, All Other Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Salary progression for Biological Scientists, All Other in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the salary spectrum, while senior scientists, principal investigators, and those with specialized expertise can command salaries well above the average. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify the career progression and increased responsibilities associated with advancing through the ranks.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $74,580 | $35.9 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $104,940 | $50.5 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $132,630 | $63.8 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $174,900 | $84.1 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $197,000 | $94.7 |
Detailed Biological Scientists, All Other Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$139,920
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$139,920
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $139,920 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is directly offset by a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is substantially higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary locally is on par with the rest of the country, indicating that the higher earnings are necessary to maintain a standard of living comparable to the national median.
Job Market Context
730
Total Jobs
0.644
Per 1K Jobs
1.66
Location Quotient
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has 1.7x the national concentration of Biological Scientists, All Other jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
The Location Quotient of 1.66 for Biological Scientists, All Other in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara signifies a market that is 66% more concentrated than the national average. This suggests a competitive yet abundant job market, where the presence of numerous related industries and research facilities creates significant opportunities, but also attracts a large pool of talent, making it essential for professionals to possess specialized skills and experience.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Biological Scientists, All Other
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $102,910↓ 26% | 26 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $140,490↑ 0% | 42 mi |
| Salinas, CA Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $113,170↓ 19% | 47 mi |
| Modesto, CA Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $96,900↓ 31% | 53 mi |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $110,700↓ 21% | 54 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Hiring Biological Scientists, All Others?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Biological Scientists, All Other make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Biological Scientists, All Other in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $139,920. This typically ranges from $74,580 for entry-level positions to $197,000 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 32.5% higher than the national median of $105,580.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a lucrative place for Biological Scientists, All Others?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative place for Biological Scientists, All Others.The average salary of $139,920 is substantially higher than the national average, and the strong concentration of industry professionals (LQ 1.66) indicates robust demand and competitive compensation.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Biological Scientists, All Others?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($102,910) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
How does the San Jose salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Biological Scientists, All Other in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is $139,920, which is approximately 32.5% higher than the national average of $105,580.
What does a Location Quotient of 1.66 mean for job seekers?
A Location Quotient of 1.66 indicates that Biological Scientists, All Other are more concentrated in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area than the national average, suggesting a strong industry presence and potentially more job opportunities relative to other regions.
Does the high salary in San Jose translate to higher purchasing power?
While the nominal salary is high, the Cost of Living Index in San Jose is 100 (national average), meaning the $139,920 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, not significantly more.
How many Biological Scientists, All Other work in the San Jose area?
There are approximately 730 Biological Scientists, All Other employed within the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara 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 730 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 0.644 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Biological Scientists, All Other • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA