📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Physicists Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$216,238
per year
Median
$202,038
per year
Hourly
$103.96
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$122,376
25th Percentile — Junior$167,248
50th Percentile — Median$202,038
75th Percentile — Senior$268,210
90th Percentile — Top Earners$308,677
💡 Top-earning Physicistss in California make up to $308,677 per year. The job market in California is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$179.5k
2021
$186.3k
2022
$193.3k
2023
$200.7k
2024
$208.3k
2025
$216.2k
2026
📈 Physicists salaries in California have followed the national trend with 3.8% annual growth. The strong presence in California's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Physicists Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $335,169 +55.0% Medium
San Diego $320,032 +48.0% Medium
San Jose $371,929 +72.0% Medium
San Francisco $400,040 +85.0% Medium
Fresno $233,537 +8.0% Medium
Sacramento $263,810 +22.0% Medium
Long Beach $313,545 +45.0% Medium
Bakersfield $233,537 +8.0% Medium
Anaheim $307,058 +42.0% Medium
Santa Ana $302,733 +40.0% Medium
Riverside $276,785 +28.0% Medium
Stockton $255,161 +18.0% Medium
Irvine $335,169 +55.0% Medium
San Bernardino $255,161 +18.0% Medium
Modesto $242,187 +12.0% Medium
Fontana $263,810 +22.0% Medium
Moreno Valley $248,674 +15.0% Medium
Glendale $320,032 +48.0% Medium
Fremont $345,981 +60.0% Medium
🔍
Physicists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Physicistss. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $216,238 per year, California's Physicists salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in California (index: 1.42) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in California can expect to earn $122,376–$167,248, while experienced Physicistss can command $268,210–$308,677.

Looking ahead, the Physicists profession in California is projected to grow at 3.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Physicists salary in California is $216,238 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $152,280.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Physicistss the highest wages in California due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • California has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Physicists employment.
  • At $216,238/year, California Physicists salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $152,280/year.