Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Biochemists and Biophysicists salary really buy you in California?
California is 12.5% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
California's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 112.5, meaning prices are 12.5% higher the national average. A Biochemists and Biophysicists earning $139,580 in California has the equivalent purchasing power of $124,071 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for California's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $83,580 | $74,293 | $-9,286 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $105,920 | $94,151 | $-11,768 |
| Median (P50) | $139,580 | $124,071 | $-15,508 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $179,990 | $159,991 | $-19,998 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $208,210 | $185,075 | $-23,134 |
While $139,580 sounds high, California's elevated cost of living erases 11% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $124,071. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
California's RPP of 112.5 puts it 12.5% above the national baseline cost of living. A Biochemists and Biophysicists needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
Adjusting $139,580 for California's cost of living yields $124,071 — a 11.1% loss in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Biochemists and Biophysicists, California places #5 of 35 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.
Where does Biochemists and Biophysicists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
California ranks #5 out of 35 states for Biochemists and Biophysicists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Biochemists and Biophysicists take-home pay in California after taxes →
A Biochemists and Biophysicists in California earns a median salary of $139,580 per year. After adjusting for California's cost of living (RPP=112.5), the real purchasing power is $124,071 — a -11.1% difference.
California's cost of living is 12.5% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for California is 112.5 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Biochemists and Biophysicists in California: $139,580 x (100 / 112.5) = $124,071. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Biochemists and Biophysicists's nominal salary of $139,580 in California has 11.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $124,071. However, California may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.