Economy

Biotech + California = Economic Engine

California is home to several of the nation’s largest life sciences clusters. Our thriving industry is a leading employer, a powerful economic engine and a driving force behind developing the state’s biomedical workforce. The prosperity of our state is closely linked to the ongoing contributions of its thriving biotechnology industry, which generates nearly $294 billion in revenue each year and boosts the state’s gross product by $162.2 billion.
By The Numbers
$25.7B

Total biomedical exports from California biotechnology companies

$17B

Total estimate venture capital investment in California biomedical companies

$113.6k

Average salary California biotech employees were paid in 2017

1 Mil

Californians directly and indirectly employed by the biotechnology industry

325k

Californians directly employed by the biotechnology industry

1,274

Number of new medicines currently in California’s research and development pipeline

10.4k

Number of California biomedical facilities, the birthplace of the biotech industry

Regional Snapshots

San Diego

  • $32.7B Economic Output
  • 179k Jobs
  • 1,160 Life Science Institutes

With 1,160 life science companies and research institutes, San Diego County’s life science industry provides over 48,000 jobs and supports an additional 131,000 jobs in the county, for a total impact of more than 179,000 jobs. It generates $32.7 billion in economic output and adds $19.1 billion to the local gross product. Life science establishments brought over $832 million in NIH grants to San Diego in 2016.

Bay Area & Northern California

  • $112B Economic Output
  • 391k Jobs
  • 2,300 Life Science Institutes

The nine counties that comprise Northern California’s life science industry generate almost $112 billion in economic output, employ over 93,500 people and support more than 298,000 jobs, totaling a region-wide impact of over 391,000 jobs and $61.6 billion per year to the state’s gross product. Northern California’s 2,300 life science institutions are spread among many counties with 494 establishments in Alameda County, 286 in San Francisco County, 356 in San Mateo County and 7,671 in Santa Clara County.

Los Angeles

  • $39B Economic Output
  • 69k Jobs
  • 2,400 Life Science Institutes

Los Angeles County is home to 2,400 life science establishments, including 103 biopharmaceutical companies, 436 medical device and diagnostic companies and 787 research and lab support institutions. The industry employs nearly 69,000 people, generates $39 billion in county economic output and increases labor income by $11.7 billion. Its local establishments were awarded over $890 million in NIH research awards in the 2016 fiscal year.