SOC 29-1222 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physicians, Pathologists — California
California · 5 metro areas compared
At $186,300, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Physicians, Pathologists, 40.4% beneath the national figure of $312,400.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $186,300, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Physicians, Pathologists, 40.4% beneath the national figure of $312,400. Pay ranges from under $105,750 at the tenth percentile to more than $387,760 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $167,110 to $318,820.
The area has 1,790 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.37 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. California ranks number 34th out of 35 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, San Diego records the highest median at $333,330. Of the 793 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 23rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $105,750 | −66.1% |
| 25th | $167,110 | −46.5% |
| Median (50th) | $186,300 | −40.4% |
| 75th | $318,820 | +2.1% |
| 90th | $387,760 | +24.1% |
| Mean | $221,080 | −29.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego | $333,330 | 90 | |
| 2 | Los Angeles | $319,340 | 330 | |
| 3 | San Jose | $248,420 | 30 | |
| 4 | San Francisco | $186,300 | — | |
| 5 | Riverside | $143,120 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $186,300 buys what $168,293 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 46.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$186,300as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$168,293US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $186,300 a year, 40.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $105,750 to $387,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,790 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 34th of 35 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Diego, at $333,330.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physicians, Pathologists in California?
The median annual wage is $186,300, or $89.57 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 $312,400, so pay in California is 40.4% lower. 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 California earns more than $387,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $105,750 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 San Diego, at $333,330 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,790 jobs in this occupation in California. 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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