Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay range in San Luis Obispo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $94,850 a year or less, while the top 10% make $161,930 or more. The middle half of medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in San Luis Obispo earn between $103,130 and $135,160.
- $95K10th
- $103K25th
- $125KMedian
- $135K75th
- $162K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $125,270 | $10,439 | $60.23 |
| Median | $125,070 | $10,422 | $60.13 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $103,130 | $8,594 | $49.58 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $135,160 | $11,263 | $64.98 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay in San Luis Obispo vs. California and the U.S.
Medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in San Luis Obispo earn 11% less than the California average ($140,120) and 7% more than the U.S. average ($116,840). At the median the gap is +21% against the U.S. median of $103,410.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | $125,270 | $125,070 | $94,850 | $161,930 | 70 |
| California | $140,120 | $136,990 | $81,320 | $180,060 | 29,830 |
| United States | $116,840 | $103,410 | $64,800 | $177,780 | 172,340 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary after taxes in San Luis Obispo
On the average salary of $125,270, a single filer in San Luis Obispo takes home about $89,330 a year, or $7,444 a month and $3,436 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Luis Obispo a good place for medical scientists (except epidemiologists)? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Luis Obispo area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.6), so the average $125,270 buys what about $115,354 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.5 times the median wage of all jobs in San Luis Obispo ($50,770). A typical home costs $909,699, or 7.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in other California cities
San Luis Obispo ranks 19th of 21 California metro areas for this job; Vallejo pays the most ($162,840).
- Vallejo$162,840
- San Francisco$157,540
- San Jose$154,410
- Santa Rosa$149,990
- Chico$148,730
- Stockton$144,260
- Modesto$142,460
- Santa Cruz$140,520
- Sacramento$136,940
- San Luis Obispo$125,270
All Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for medical scientists (except epidemiologists)
Syracuse, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($182,580).
- Syracuse, NY$182,580
- Vallejo, CA$162,840
- Topeka, KS$162,650
- Charleston, SC$160,640
- San Francisco, CA$157,540
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Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in San Luis Obispo: questions
How much do medical scientists (except epidemiologists) make an hour in San Luis Obispo?
$60.23 an hour on average, and $60.13 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level medical scientists (except epidemiologists) salary in San Luis Obispo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $94,850 a year and the 25th percentile is $103,130, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the medical scientists (except epidemiologists) take-home pay in San Luis Obispo?
About $89,330 a year ($7,444 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $125,270. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do medical scientists (except epidemiologists) earn more in San Luis Obispo than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($116,840).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1042; area San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA (42020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.49, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.49).
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