Expert Medical Scientist salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 11 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes La Jolla, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos.
Also listed as: Research Scientist, Associate Research Scientist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $160,826 |
| 25th | $173,856 |
| 50th (median) | $193,434 |
| 75th | $236,250 |
| 90th | $260,000 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median expert Medical Scientist salary of $193,434 is worth about $172,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Diego = 111.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in the San Diego, CA area earned a median of $130,980 in May 2025 (4,960 employed). The H-1B median here is $193,434, 48% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Eli Lilly and Company | too few | 3 |
| Janssen Research & Development | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $78,749 | 25 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $135,180 | 10 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 2 |
| Expert · Level IV | $193,434 | 11 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $75,587 | $78,749 | 25 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $105,518 | $135,180 | 10 |
| Expert · Level IV | $138,694 | $193,434 | 11 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.