How much does a physical scientist make in San Jose?
$160,600a year
Median yearly pay for physical scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area. That is $77.20 an hour or $13,380 a month.
- Hourly
- $77.20
- Vs. national median
- +31%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 68
- Jobs in the area
- 340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $91,150Median: $160,600Highest 10%: $323,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $91,150 | $43.82 | |
| 25th | $115,800 | $55.66 | |
| Median | $160,600 | $77.20 | |
| 75th | $211,200 | $101.51 | |
| 90th | $323,800 | $155.69 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for physical scientists.
| Bakersfield, CA | $137,300 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $136,200 |
| San Diego, CA | $132,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $131,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $128,700 |
| Sacramento, CA | $101,100 |
Related jobs in San Jose
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Materials Scientist | $231,900 |
| Psychologist | $175,200 |
| Physicist | $173,500 |
| Medical Scientist | $159,300 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $139,400 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $137,300 |
| Geoscientist | $136,100 |
| Biological Scientist | $133,800 |
| School Psychologist | $130,500 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $129,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical scientist make an hour in San Jose?
The median hourly pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $77.20 ($160,600 a year).
Do physical scientists make more in San Jose than the national average?
Yes: $160,600 against $122,600 nationally, 31% more.
How does San Jose compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $130,600, so San Jose pays 23% more.
Where does San Jose rank for physical scientist pay?
4 of 68 metro areas with data.
How much does a physical scientist make starting out in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% make $91,150 or less a year; the top 10% make $323,800 or more.
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.