SOC 19-1029 · Modesto, CA metro

Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in Modesto, CA

The average salary for other biological scientists in Modesto, California is $98,070 a year ($47.15 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $97,120: half of the 60 people in this job in the Modesto, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 8% less than the U.S. average for this job ($106,330).

$98,070average per year

$47.15 / hourMedian $97,120Take-home ≈ $72,794

  • $60K10th
  • $72K25th
  • $97KMedian
  • $114K75th
  • $163K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

60people in this job
-8%vs U.S. average
#15 of 20California metros
104cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Biological Scientists, All Other pay range in Modesto

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,430 a year or less, while the top 10% make $162,760 or more. The middle half of other biological scientists in Modesto earn between $71,730 and $113,850.

  • $60K10th
  • $72K25th
  • $97KMedian
  • $114K75th
  • $163K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$98,070$8,172$47.15
Median$97,120$8,093$46.69
Entry level (25th percentile)$71,730$5,978$34.49
Experienced (75th percentile)$113,850$9,488$54.74

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Biological Scientists, All Other pay in Modesto vs. California and the U.S.

Other biological scientists in Modesto earn 21% less than the California average ($123,840) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($106,330). At the median the gap is -2% against the U.S. median of $98,920.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Modesto$98,070$97,120$60,430$162,76060
California$123,840$113,530$69,770$189,71011,880
United States$106,330$98,920$60,430$168,01055,850

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Biological Scientists, All Other salary after taxes in Modesto

On the average salary of $98,070, a single filer in Modesto takes home about $72,794 a year, or $6,066 a month and $2,800 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Modesto a good place for other biological scientists? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Modesto area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 104.1), so the average $98,070 buys what about $94,200 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Modesto ($50,610). A typical home costs $468,302, or 4.8 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $98,070 is worth in another city

Biological Scientists, All Other salary in other California cities

Modesto ranks 15th of 20 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($148,020).

All Biological Scientists, All Other salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for other biological scientists

San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($148,020).

Biological Scientists, All Other salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Biological Scientists, All Other in Modesto, CA.

Biological Scientists, All Other salary in Modesto: questions

How much do other biological scientists make an hour in Modesto?

$47.15 an hour on average, and $46.69 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level other biological scientists salary in Modesto?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,430 a year and the 25th percentile is $71,730, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the other biological scientists take-home pay in Modesto?

About $72,794 a year ($6,066 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $98,070. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do other biological scientists earn more in Modesto than elsewhere?

The average here is 8% less than the U.S. average for this job ($106,330).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1029; area Modesto, CA (33700). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.84, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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