How much does a physical scientist make in California?
$130,600a year
Median yearly pay for physical scientists in California. That is $62.79 an hour or $10,880 a month.
- Hourly
- $62.79
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among states
- 13 of 39
- Jobs in the state
- 2,320
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $81,360Median: $130,600Highest 10%: $211,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,360 | $39.12 | |
| 25th | $106,500 | $51.19 | |
| Median | $130,600 | $62.79 | |
| 75th | $171,300 | $82.34 | |
| 90th | $211,200 | $101.51 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $160,600 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $137,300 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $136,200 |
| San Diego, CA | $132,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $131,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $128,700 |
| Riverside, CA | $106,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $101,100 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for physical scientists.
| 10. Colorado | $134,400 |
| 11. Washington | $134,000 |
| 12. Florida | $131,700 |
| 13. California | $130,600 |
| 14. Tennessee | $129,600 |
| 15. Arizona | $125,300 |
| 16. New Mexico | $123,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical scientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $62.79 ($130,600 a year).
Do physical scientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $130,600 against $122,600 nationally, 7% more.
Where does California rank for physical scientist pay?
California ranks 13 of 39 states.
Which city in California pays physical scientists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $160,600 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.