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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Postdoctoral Fellow in California is $221,326 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $106.
However, a Postdoctoral Fellow's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Postdoctoral Fellow Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $241,928 | $20,161 | $4,652 | $116 |
| Average | $221,326 | $18,444 | $4,256 | $106 |
| 25th Percentile | $211,957 | $17,663 | $4,076 | $102 |
City of Hope - Duarte, CA
City of Hope - Duarte, CA
Genentech - South San Francisco, CA
Genentech - South San Francisco, CA
A Postdoctoral Fellow'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 Postdoctoral Fellow'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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Postdoctoral Fellow | $216,334 |
| Intermediate Level Postdoctoral Fellow | $216,978 |
| Senior Level Postdoctoral Fellow | $217,622 |
| Specialist Level Postdoctoral Fellow | $218,523 |
| Expert Level Postdoctoral Fellow | $221,325 |
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 Postdoctoral Fellows. 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 Postdoctoral Fellow roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Postdoctoral Fellow positions in Pharmaceuticals or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Postdoctoral Fellow as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $287,724 | $138.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $265,591 | $128.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Postdoctoral Fellow'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 | $241,928 | $20,161 | $4,652 | $116 |
| Average | $221,326 | $18,444 | $4,256 | $106 |
| 25th Percentile | $211,957 | $17,663 | $4,076 | $102 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Postdoctoral Fellow job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
City of Hope
Duarte, CA
City of Hope | Duarte, CA
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San Diego, CA
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Monrovia, CA
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Duarte, CA
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