Scientist Salary in Los Angeles, California

How much does a Scientist make in Los Angeles, CA?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Scientist in Los Angeles, CA is $148,849. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $137,678 to $172,585, with most professionals earning between $127,507 and $194,195.

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Salary range for a Scientist

$137,678 to $172,585

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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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA

How much should you be earning in Scientist in Los Angeles, CA based on your current experience?

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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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

137678

172585

148849

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

141286

177199

155039

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 Los Angeles, CA. The base salary for Scientist ranges from $137,678 to $172,585 with the average base salary of $148,849. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $141,286 to $177,199 with the average total cash compensation of $155,039.

View Average Salary for Scientist as table

	Average Salary	Average Salary Range
Base Salary	$148,849	$137,678 - $172,585
Bonus	$6,189	$3,608 - $4,614
Total Pay	$155,039	$141,286 - $177,199

* 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 Los Angeles, CA

CITY, STATE	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE	COMPARE TO Los Angeles, CA
CITY, STATE Burbank, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $137,678 - $172,585	COMPARE TO Los Angeles, CA 0%
CITY, STATE Glendale, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $137,678 - $172,585	COMPARE TO Los Angeles, CA 0%
CITY, STATE Pasadena, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $137,678 - $172,585	COMPARE TO Los Angeles, CA 0%
CITY, STATE Inglewood, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $137,678 - $172,585	COMPARE TO Los Angeles, CA 0%
CITY, STATE Downey, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $136,534 - $171,152	COMPARE TO Los Angeles, CA
CITY, STATE El Monte, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $137,529 - $172,398	COMPARE TO Los Angeles, CA

See salaries for Scientist in locations close to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles (/lɔːs ˈændʒələs/ (listen);[a] Spanish: Los Ángeles), officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A., is the most populous city in California, the second most populous city in the United States, after New York City, and the third most populous city in North America. With an estimated population of four million, Los Angeles is the cultural, financial, and commercial center of Southern California. The city is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and its sprawling metropolis. Los Angeles is the larges...

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

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The Scientist job could be listed using titles that are not exactly the same, but actually are for the same or very similar job. Here are some job titles in Los Angeles, CA that might be a good fit for the type of job and salary you are looking for.

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