Mid-level Medical Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA
Based on 71 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes South San Francisco, Foster City, Berkeley, Alameda, Redwood City.
Also listed as: Research Scientist, Associate Research Scientist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $120,078 |
| 25th | $120,078 |
| 50th (median) | $130,000 |
| 75th | $148,950 |
| 90th | $175,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $94,000 | $81,445 | $102,125 | 55 |
| FY2021 | $108,750 | $98,654 | $117,999 | 52 |
| FY2022 | $115,000 | $109,928 | $125,750 | 44 |
| FY2023 | $118,000 | $111,509 | $135,051 | 51 |
| FY2024 | $125,141 | $117,416 | $139,000 | 40 |
| FY2025 | $125,280 | $120,078 | $141,000 | 41 |
| FY2026 | $143,000 | $125,278 | $158,795 | 30 |
Cost of living
San Francisco's median mid-level Medical Scientist salary of $130,000 is worth about $112,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Francisco = 115.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in the San Francisco, CA area earned a median of $160,180 in May 2025 (7,310 employed). The H-1B median here is $130,000, 19% lower.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Genentech | $130,686 | 17 |
| Gilead Sciences | $120,078 | 10 |
| Exelixis | too few | 4 |
| Northern California Institute for Research and Education | too few | 3 |
| Amgen | too few | 2 |
| Ardelyx | too few | 2 |
| Dren Bio Management | too few | 2 |
| Kite Pharma | too few | 2 |
| Retro Biosciences | too few | 2 |
| Science | 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 | $107,973 | 35 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $130,000 | 71 |
| Senior · Level III | $150,000 | 42 |
| Expert · Level IV | $181,300 | 36 |
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 | $99,715 | $107,973 | 35 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $125,278 | $130,000 | 71 |
| Senior · Level III | $148,678 | $150,000 | 42 |
| Expert · Level IV | $172,099 | $181,300 | 36 |
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.