SOC 19-3099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is $84,340 per year, 16.6% below the national median of $101,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is $84,340 per year, 16.6% below the national median of $101,110. Half of workers earn between $80,560 and $91,890. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $66,370 and the ninetieth at $108,600.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Bakersfield records the highest median at $112,990. Of the 350 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 80th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,370 | −34.4% |
| 25th | $80,560 | −20.3% |
| Median (50th) | $84,340 | −16.6% |
| 75th | $91,890 | −9.1% |
| 90th | $108,600 | +7.4% |
| Mean | $86,150 | −14.8% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakersfield | $112,990 | 40 | |
| 2 | Sacramento | $104,770 | 340 | |
| 3 | Riverside | $103,310 | 210 | |
| 4 | San Francisco | $101,090 | 400 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $100,550 | 710 | |
| 6 | San Diego | $94,110 | 450 | |
| 7 | San Luis Obispo | $92,640 | 40 | |
| 8 | San Jose | $92,060 | 120 | |
| 9 | Santa Maria | $87,260 | 130 | |
| 10 | Fresno | $86,670 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $84,340 buys what $76,188 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 24.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$84,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,188US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $84,340 a year, 16.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $66,370 to $108,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bakersfield, at $112,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA?
The median annual wage is $84,340, or $40.55 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 $101,110, so pay in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is 16.6% 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA earns more than $108,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $66,370 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 Bakersfield, at $112,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, 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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