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Highest-paying science jobs in Sacramento
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-paying science jobs in Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA metro area using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Jobs the BLS lists as "life, physical, and social science occupations" were included.
#30. Food science technicians
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $48,810
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,870
- Employment: 11,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($66,580)
--- Owensboro, KY ($63,700)
--- Columbus, OH ($61,420)
- Annual mean salary: $48,810
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,870
- Employment: 11,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($66,580)
--- Owensboro, KY ($63,700)
--- Columbus, OH ($61,420)
#29. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $50,480
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,550
- Employment: 34,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)
- Annual mean salary: $50,480
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,550
- Employment: 34,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)
#28. Biological technicians
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $50,970
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,770
- Employment: 76,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($69,050)
--- Boulder, CO ($68,640)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($65,940)
- Annual mean salary: $50,970
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,770
- Employment: 76,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($69,050)
--- Boulder, CO ($68,640)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($65,940)
#27. Chemical technicians
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $51,640
- #122 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,040
- Employment: 57,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($77,020)
- Annual mean salary: $51,640
- #122 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,040
- Employment: 57,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($77,020)
#26. Agricultural technicians
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $53,760
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,850
- Employment: 13,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($59,300)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($58,050)
--- Corvallis, OR ($57,990)
- Annual mean salary: $53,760
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,850
- Employment: 13,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($59,300)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($58,050)
--- Corvallis, OR ($57,990)
#25. Social science research assistants
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $57,940
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,430
- Employment: 28,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($88,730)
--- Columbia, SC ($77,760)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($70,570)
- Annual mean salary: $57,940
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,430
- Employment: 28,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($88,730)
--- Columbia, SC ($77,760)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($70,570)
#24. Occupational health and safety technicians
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $61,430
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
- Annual mean salary: $61,430
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
#23. Hydrologic technicians
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $66,520
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,760
- Employment: 3,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($126,900)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($108,260)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($86,310)
- Annual mean salary: $66,520
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,760
- Employment: 3,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($126,900)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($108,260)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($86,310)
#22. Anthropologists and archeologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $80,640
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 6,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($85,120)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($84,300)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,990)
- Annual mean salary: $80,640
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 6,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($85,120)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($84,300)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,990)
#21. Zoologists and wildlife biologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $83,540
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,300
- Employment: 15,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($109,570)
--- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS ($106,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,350)
- Annual mean salary: $83,540
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,300
- Employment: 15,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($109,570)
--- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS ($106,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,350)
#20. Chemists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $86,330
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,130
- Employment: 80,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,290)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($115,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($108,330)
- Annual mean salary: $86,330
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,130
- Employment: 80,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,290)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($115,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($108,330)
#19. Forensic science technicians
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $86,530
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)
- Annual mean salary: $86,530
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)
#17 (tie). Soil and plant scientists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $87,320
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,290
- Employment: 15,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($111,450)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($109,490)
--- Raleigh, NC ($109,320)
- Annual mean salary: $87,320
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,290
- Employment: 15,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($111,450)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($109,490)
--- Raleigh, NC ($109,320)
#17 (tie). Conservation scientists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $87,320
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,230
- Employment: 22,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($108,670)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($106,200)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($101,900)
- Annual mean salary: $87,320
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,230
- Employment: 22,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($108,670)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($106,200)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($101,900)
#16. Food scientists and technologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $87,400
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,150
- Employment: 13,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($138,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,970)
--- Wichita, KS ($102,100)
- Annual mean salary: $87,400
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,150
- Employment: 13,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($138,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,970)
--- Wichita, KS ($102,100)
#15. Foresters
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $89,390
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,710
- Employment: 9,500
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($96,220)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($90,320)
- Annual mean salary: $89,390
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,710
- Employment: 9,500
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($96,220)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($90,320)
#14. School psychologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $90,780
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,770
- Employment: 57,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($116,280)
--- El Centro, CA ($116,010)
--- Fresno, CA ($115,360)
- Annual mean salary: $90,780
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,770
- Employment: 57,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($116,280)
--- El Centro, CA ($116,010)
--- Fresno, CA ($115,360)
#13. Occupational health and safety specialists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $91,020
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)
- Annual mean salary: $91,020
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)
#12. Urban and regional planners
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $93,800
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 870
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,310
- Employment: 38,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($119,680)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,740)
- Annual mean salary: $93,800
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 870
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,310
- Employment: 38,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($119,680)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,740)
#11. Economists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $97,380
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $120,830
- Employment: 15,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($162,870)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,320)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($156,360)
- Annual mean salary: $97,380
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $120,830
- Employment: 15,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($162,870)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,320)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($156,360)
#10. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $100,870
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- Employment: 76,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($116,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,710)
- Annual mean salary: $100,870
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- Employment: 76,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($116,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,710)
#9. Epidemiologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $102,140
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,740
- Employment: 8,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($145,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($139,240)
--- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($124,460)
- Annual mean salary: $102,140
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,740
- Employment: 8,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($145,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($139,240)
--- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($124,460)
#8. Biochemists and biophysicists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $103,960
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,460
- Employment: 35,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($135,070)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,520)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($133,390)
- Annual mean salary: $103,960
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,460
- Employment: 35,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($135,070)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,520)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($133,390)
#7. Sociologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $105,920
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,260
- Employment: 2,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($129,870)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($117,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,760)
- Annual mean salary: $105,920
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,260
- Employment: 2,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($129,870)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($117,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,760)
#6. Microbiologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $106,030
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,820
- Employment: 19,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Knoxville, TN ($125,380)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($121,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,340)
- Annual mean salary: $106,030
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,820
- Employment: 19,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Knoxville, TN ($125,380)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($121,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,340)
#5. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $106,230
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,550
- Employment: 23,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($161,290)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($156,870)
--- Midland, TX ($156,270)
- Annual mean salary: $106,230
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,550
- Employment: 23,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($161,290)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($156,870)
--- Midland, TX ($156,270)
#4. Hydrologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $107,810
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,780
- Employment: 6,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($148,150)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($136,920)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,470)
- Annual mean salary: $107,810
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,780
- Employment: 6,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($148,150)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($136,920)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,470)
#3. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $113,140
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 910
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,050
- Employment: 108,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($176,770)
--- Columbia, SC ($155,570)
--- Danbury, CT ($151,970)
- Annual mean salary: $113,140
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 910
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,050
- Employment: 108,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($176,770)
--- Columbia, SC ($155,570)
--- Danbury, CT ($151,970)
#2. Clinical and counseling psychologists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $119,240
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- Employment: 58,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($136,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,200)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,060)
- Annual mean salary: $119,240
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- Employment: 58,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($136,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,200)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,060)
#1. Physicists
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
- Annual mean salary: $145,630
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- Employment: 20,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($199,830)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($195,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,250)
- Annual mean salary: $145,630
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- Employment: 20,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($199,830)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($195,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,250)
