Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $134,890 a year — 30% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $93,395 take-home, or $7,783 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$21,108
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,363
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,956
- California income tax$8,315
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,754
- Take-home pay$93,395
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,270 | $37.63 | $59,826 | $4,985 |
| 25th percentile | $107,380 | $51.63 | $77,219 | $6,435 |
| Median (50th) | $134,890 | $64.85 | $93,395 | $7,783 |
| 75th percentile | $148,480 | $71.38 | $101,243 | $8,437 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,330 | $79.49 | $110,974 | $9,248 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $134,890 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median medical scientists, except epidemiologists's $93,395 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,238 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA has 1.2× the national concentration of medical scientists, except epidemiologists jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for medical scientists, except epidemiologists, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #3 of 14 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $160,180 | $108,000 | $93,415 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $129,500 | $93,524 | $86,384 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $134,890 | $93,395 | $82,238 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $103,410 | $77,656 | $81,668 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | $130,980 | $91,137 | $81,454 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $102,950 | $78,095 | $76,150 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $105,430 | $83,000 | $74,685 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $102,940 | $75,772 | $72,286 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 14 metros →
About the job: medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities. Practitioners who primarily provide medical or dental care or dispense drugs are included in "Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners" (29-1000).
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +12.6% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $160,180
- San Diego, CA — $130,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $134,890 a year, or about $64.85 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $107,380 and $148,480.
What is a medical scientists, except epidemiologists’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $134,890 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $93,395 a year ($7,783 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,069 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a medical scientists, except epidemiologists?
Pay here is 30% above the national median of $103,410. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,238 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #3 of 14 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a medical scientists, except epidemiologists afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median medical scientists, except epidemiologists’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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