Highest-paying science jobs in San Jose
Written by:
February 9, 2023
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Highest-paying science jobs in San Jose
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-paying science jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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.
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#24. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $57,150
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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: $57,150
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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)
#23. Chemical technicians
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $58,240
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
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: $58,240
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
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)
#22. Food science technicians
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $58,580
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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: $58,580
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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)
#21. Conservation scientists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $63,030
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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: $63,030
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#20. Biological technicians
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $64,050
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
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: $64,050
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
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)
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#19. Occupational health and safety technicians
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $68,840
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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: $68,840
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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)
#18. Soil and plant scientists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $90,890
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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: $90,890
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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. Zoologists and wildlife biologists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $93,000
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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: $93,000
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
#16. Food scientists and technologists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $95,780
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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: $95,780
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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. Chemists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $101,230
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650
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: $101,230
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650
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)
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#14. School psychologists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $102,070
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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: $102,070
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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. Forensic science technicians
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $106,600
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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: $106,600
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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)
#12. Occupational health and safety specialists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $108,240
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
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: $108,240
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
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)
#11. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $109,190
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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: $109,190
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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)
#10. Microbiologists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $112,420
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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: $112,420
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
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#9. Urban and regional planners
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $112,760
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 420
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: $112,760
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 420
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)
#8. Biochemists and biophysicists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $118,040
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
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: $118,040
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
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. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $124,520
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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: $124,520
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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)
#6. Clinical and counseling psychologists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $134,200
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
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: $134,200
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
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)
#5. Materials scientists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $135,480
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,790
- Employment: 6,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($142,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,480)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($133,380)
- Annual mean salary: $135,480
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,790
- Employment: 6,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($142,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,480)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($133,380)
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#4. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $138,190
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,120
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: $138,190
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,120
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)
#3. Astronomers
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $145,820
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $139,410
- Employment: 1,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($145,820)
--- Boulder, CO ($139,090)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($136,250)
- Annual mean salary: $145,820
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $139,410
- Employment: 1,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($145,820)
--- Boulder, CO ($139,090)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($136,250)
#2. Economists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $156,360
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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: $156,360
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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)
#1. Physicists
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Annual mean salary: $175,490
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
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: $175,490
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
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)
