Scientist Salary in San Diego, California

How much does a Scientist make in San Diego, CA?

As of March 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Scientist in San Diego, CA is $144,322. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $133,488 to $167,337, with most professionals earning between $123,625 and $188,291.

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Salary range for a Scientist

$133,488 to $167,337

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What is a Scientist?

A Scientist is someone who conducts scientific research to advance knowledge in an area of interest. In classical antiquity, there was no real ancient analog of a modern Scientist. Instead, philosophers engaged in the philosophical study of nature called natural philosophy, a precursor of natural science. It was not until the 19th century that the term Scientist came into regular use after it was coined by the theologian, philosopher, and historian of science William Whewell in 1833, to describe the noted polymath Mary Somerville. In modern times, many scientists have advanced degrees in an ...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 09/06/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Job Openings for Scientist in San Diego, CA

What does a Scientist do?

Common responsibilities of a Scientist

Manage materials to support various needs and suppliers in setting up/renewing contracts as required, issuing new purchase orders routing for approval through management chain.

March 01, 2023

Collaborate with developers in an open, creative environment to ensure timely completion of assigned deliverables, while managing multiple priorities.

January 25, 2023

Develop, backtest, and refine calculation or algorithmic methods for aggregate/derivative metric creation or other processes related to new data product development or refinement of existing products.

February 25, 2023

Provide support and assistance to Section and Project Managers in research, technical writing and model/simulation functions, as requested, as well as provide recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

March 13, 2023

Participate in integrated drug discovery research activities by interacting with scientists of different disciplines.

May 03, 2023

Performs quality control, evaluates the data, and takes appropriate action to maintain accuracy and precision.

May 16, 2023

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Scientist Salary By Experience Levels in San Diego, CA

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RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE

Length of experience is a pay differentiator. Those with greater experience may have an advantage in negotiating salary. For those with less experience, other factors such as education or special skills could impact your pay. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Scientist Salary By Level of Education in San Diego, CA

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LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Depending on the job, educational levels may have a significant impact on pay levels. Be informed and understand how things like education and certifications can help to increase potential earnings for the career you are interested in. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Average Salary Range for Scientist in San Diego, CA

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

133488

167337

144322

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

136982

171813

150308

What is the average salary for Scientist in 2025?

These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Scientist in San Diego, CA. The base salary for Scientist ranges from $133,488 to $167,337 with the average base salary of $144,322. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $136,982 to $171,813 with the average total cash compensation of $150,308.

View Average Salary for Scientist as table

	Average Salary	Average Salary Range
Base Salary	$144,322	$133,488 - $167,337
Bonus	$5,985	$3,494 - $4,476
Total Pay	$150,308	$136,982 - $171,813

* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.

* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Scientist Salary Near San Diego, CA

CITY, STATE	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE	COMPARE TO San Diego, CA
CITY, STATE El Cajon, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $133,732 - $167,643	COMPARE TO San Diego, CA
CITY, STATE Chula Vista, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $134,130 - $168,141	COMPARE TO San Diego, CA
CITY, STATE Escondido, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $133,384 - $167,206	COMPARE TO San Diego, CA
CITY, STATE Oceanside, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $134,322 - $168,383	COMPARE TO San Diego, CA
CITY, STATE Carlsbad, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $133,384 - $167,206	COMPARE TO San Diego, CA
CITY, STATE Murrieta, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $135,555 - $169,928	COMPARE TO San Diego, CA

See salaries for Scientist in locations close to San Diego, CA. Pay for the same job may vary based on the location and on the location and on other factors such as the size of company, the industry, and other local conditions.

About San Diego, California

According to SDSU professor emeritus Monte Marshall, San Diego Bay is "the surface expression of a north-south-trending, nested graben". The Rose Canyon and Point Loma fault zones are part of the San Andreas Fault system. About 40 miles (64 km) east of the bay are the Laguna Mountains in the Peninsular Ranges, which are part of the backbone of the American continents. The city lies on approximately 200 deep canyons and hills separating its mesas, creating small pockets of natural open space scattered throughout the city and giving it a hilly geography. Traditionally, San Diegans have built the...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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