What does a Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary really buy you in California?
California is 12.5% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-04-06
California's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 112.5, meaning prices are 12.5% higher the national average. A Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earning $128,320 in California has the equivalent purchasing power of $114,062 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) | $79,930 | $71,048 | $-8,881 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $104,650 | $93,022 | $-11,627 |
| Median (P50) | $128,320 | $114,062 | $-14,257 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $145,690 | $129,502 | $-16,187 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $166,840 | $148,302 | $-18,537 |
While $128,320 sounds high, California's elevated cost of living erases 11% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $114,062. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
California ranks #6 out of 48 states for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
How much do you actually take home? See Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists take-home pay in California after taxes →
A Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in California earns a median salary of $128,320 per year. After adjusting for California's cost of living (RPP=112.5), the real purchasing power is $114,062 — 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 Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in California: $128,320 x (100 / 112.5) = $114,062. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists's nominal salary of $128,320 in California has 11.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $114,062. However, California may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.