Physicists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$125,390
- 25th Percentile — Junior$173,450
- 50th Percentile — Median$207,490
- 75th Percentile — Senior$222,760
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$296,740
Half of Physicists in California earn more than $207,490. The top 10% make $296,740 or more, while entry-level workers start around $125,390.
Physicists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $201,930 per year (18.0% above the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 5,930 people work as Physicists in California — 29.0% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 2.48: Physicists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $125,390; the top 10% earn over $296,740.
- Hourly equivalent: $97.08 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in California, Materials Scientists pays the most ($189,460).
Physicists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Physicists here earn $201,930 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $201,930 is roughly equivalent to $142,204 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($219,910), New Hampshire ($208,970), Oregon ($207,370) are the closest alternatives for Physicists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California 6.2% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California 26.4% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California 30.6% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California 33.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California 36.9% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California 39.0% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California 39.1% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $116,480/yr California 42.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in California?
The average Physicists salary in California is $201,930 per year (median $207,490), which is 18.0% above the national average of $171,180.
How does California rank for Physicists pay?
California ranks 4th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in California earn about $125,390 per year and the 25th percentile is $173,450.
How much do Physicists make per hour in California?
About $97.08 per hour, based on the $201,930 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in California?
BLS counts 5,930 Physicists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data