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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2025

Epidemiologists salary in San Diego, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the San Diego metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated June 12, 2026
Median annual$125,320
Mean annual$112,450
Range (10th to 90th)$82,370 to $125,320
San Diego, California employment160
State vs national+38.5% vs national

Salary distribution

Where San Diego epidemiologists fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$82,37025TH$82,730MEDIAN$125,32075TH$125,32090TH$125,320

The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,730 and $125,320, with a median of $125,320.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Master's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Mathematics

    Knowledge

    4.5 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    4.4 / 5
  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    4.4 / 5
  • Inductive Reasoning

    Ability

    4.4 / 5
  • Biology

    Knowledge

    4.3 / 5
  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    4.3 / 5
  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Technical

    4.3 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.3 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.

  2. 02

    Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.

  3. 03

    Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.

  4. 04

    Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.

  5. 05

    Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.

  6. 06

    Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.

  7. 07

    Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.

  8. 08

    Write articles for publication in professional journals.

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Other metros in California

How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for epidemiologists.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Epidemiologists in San Diego, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Epidemiologists in the San Diego metropolitan area is $125,320.
Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Epidemiologists?
The San Diego metro median is +13.1% versus the California state median of $110,760.
How does San Diego compare to the national median for Epidemiologists?
The San Diego metro median is +38.5% versus the BLS national figure of $90,468.
What is the salary range for Epidemiologists in San Diego?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $82,370 and the 90th-percentile at $125,320 for the San Diego metro area.
What education is required for Epidemiologists?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.