SOC 19-1021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Biochemists and Biophysicists — San Francisco
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA · 4 metro areas compared
In San Francisco, CA the median wage for Biochemists and Biophysicists reaches $165,050 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Francisco, CA the median wage for Biochemists and Biophysicists reaches $165,050 a year. That is 29.5% more than the national median of $127,410. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $133,980 and $200,380. The lowest tenth earn under $104,380, while the highest tenth earn more than $223,740.
The area has 1,380 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.67 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Los Angeles leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $131,700. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 69th of 688 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $104,380 | −18.1% |
| 25th | $133,980 | +5.2% |
| Median (50th) | $165,050 | +29.5% |
| 75th | $200,380 | +57.3% |
| 90th | $223,740 | +75.6% |
| Mean | $168,650 | +32.4% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | $131,700 | 580 | |
| 2 | Riverside | $129,490 | 30 | |
| 3 | San Jose | $124,050 | 190 | |
| 4 | San Diego | $121,740 | 710 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Francisco run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $165,050 buys what $149,097 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$165,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$149,097US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $165,050 a year, 29.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $104,380 to $223,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,380 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Los Angeles, at $131,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Biochemists and Biophysicists in San Francisco, CA?
The median annual wage is $165,050, or $79.35 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $127,410, so pay in San Francisco, CA is 29.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Francisco, CA earns more than $223,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $104,380 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Los Angeles, at $131,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,380 jobs in this occupation in San Francisco, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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