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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Scientist in California is $111,220 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
However, a Lead Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Scientist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $125,721 | $10,477 | $2,418 | $60 |
| Average | $111,220 | $9,268 | $2,139 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,194 | $8,183 | $1,888 | $47 |
Prime Healthcare - Inglewood, CA
Agility Robotics - Fremont, CA
Sharp HealthCare - Coronado, CA
Tenet Healthcare - San Ramon, CA
A Lead Scientist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Scientist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical ... Level Lead Scientist | $67,031 |
| Clinical ... Level Lead Scientist | $77,564 |
| Lead Scie... Level Lead Scientist | $110,154 |
| Clinical ... Level Lead Scientist | $118,996 |
| Clinical ... Level Lead Scientist | $177,161 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lead Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Lead Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Lead Scientist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $166,830 | $80.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $133,464 | $64.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Lead Scientist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $125,721 | $10,477 | $2,418 | $60 |
| Average | $111,220 | $9,268 | $2,139 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,194 | $8,183 | $1,888 | $47 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Sutter Health
Burlingame, CA
Sutter Health | Burlingame, CA
Laboratory Workflow Coordinator. Monitors, assesses, organizes and coordinates the daily activities of co-workers to ensure a smooth and continuous Laborat... more
9 Days Ago
Common Spirit Health
Long Beach, CA
Common Spirit Health | Long Beach, CA
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Lead. Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future f... more
10 Days Ago
Natera
San Carlos, CA
Natera | San Carlos, CA
Lead Clinical Lab Scientist. San Carlos, CA. Position Summary. Assists in analyzing specimens and works closely with supervisor to make sure production goa... more
11 Days Ago
Universal Health Services
Palmdale, CA
Universal Health Services | Palmdale, CA
Medical Technologist. Responsible for assisting in the supervision of the Chemistry Departments with an efficient, economic and quality manner, to the sati... more
11 Days Ago
Common Spirit Health
Arroyo Grande, CA
Common Spirit Health | Arroyo Grande, CA
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Lead. Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future f... more
11 Days Ago
Adventist Health
San Luis Obispo, CA
Adventist Health | San Luis Obispo, CA
Job Description. Nestled on the Central California Coast, Adventist Health Sierra Vista has been providing care to our community since 1959. Our 162-bed ac... more
10 Days Ago
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