Researcher salary in California

The average salary for a Researcher is $168,837 per year in California. This figure is based on 420 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on July 26, 2026.

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Researcher salaries in California typically range between a low of $88,718 and a high of $321,309 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Researcher in California include San Jose, CA at $233,799 per year, Mountain View, CA at $212,567 per year, and Palo Alto, CA at $200,302 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Researcher in California include CHAI ($500,000 per year) and Roblox ($412,050 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Researcher salary in California compares to related positions:

• Junior Researcher: Average $59,843 per year
• Senior Researcher: Average $191,165 per year