Is California a high-paying state for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations?

California pays +19.1% significantly above the national average for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations (GUPPI +19.1%). Yes — employers in California pay a meaningful premium in this sector.

How does California rank for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations pay?

California ranks #4 of 51 states for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations based on the Gera Sector GUPPI (+19.1%). The top-ranked state is District of Columbia (GUPPI +50.6%, median $128,610).

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in California — GUPPI +19.1%

What is the wage premium for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in California?

California pays $101,700/year for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations (BLS OEWS May 2025) — +19.1% significantly above the national employment-weighted average of $85,407. Gera Sector GUPPI: +19.1%. Updated annually from BLS OEWS.

Source:U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — Major Group Rollups·As of May 2025 state estimates (major-group rollup) · updated annually (BLS OEWS) · last refreshed 20 June 2026

Gera US Sector Pay Premium Index

California ranks #4 of 51 states for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations pay. National employment-weighted average: $85,407.

How this is calculated

+19.1%

State median

$101,700

BLS OEWS May 2025

National avg

$85,407

Emp-weighted mean

State rank

of 51 states

Benchmark your salary against the sector median in California

Enter your annual salary to see how you compare to the BLS OEWS May 2025 sector median for California.

Sector GUPPI for California: +19.1%State median: $101,700 · National avg: $85,407

Your annual salary (USD)

Frequently asked questions

How much does Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations pay in California?: The BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in California is $101,700. This is the midpoint across all occupations in the Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations sector (SOC 190000).
Is California a high-paying state for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations?: California pays +19.1% significantly above the national average for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations (GUPPI +19.1%). Yes — employers in California pay a meaningful premium in this sector.
How does California rank for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations pay?: California ranks #4 of 51 states for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations based on the Gera Sector GUPPI (+19.1%). The top-ranked state is District of Columbia (GUPPI +50.6%, median $128,610).

Top states for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations pay

Find Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations jobs in California with salary ranges

GeraJobs lists live vacancies where employers state salary ranges — search California to see which roles match the GUPPI benchmark.

Search jobs in California →

Data source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — Major Group Rollups · May 2025 state estimates (major-group rollup) · Public domain (U.S. federal government work)

GUPPI computed by GeraJobs. Last updated: 2026-06-20. Full methodology · ← All sectors