How much does a physicist make in California?
$207,500a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in California. That is $99.75 an hour or $17,290 a month.
- Hourly
- $99.75
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 43
- Jobs in the state
- 5,930
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $125,400Median: $207,500Highest 10%: $296,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $125,400 | $60.28 | |
| 25th | $173,500 | $83.39 | |
| Median | $207,500 | $99.75 | |
| 75th | $222,800 | $107.10 | |
| 90th | $296,700 | $142.66 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $173,500 |
| Riverside, CA | $164,000 |
| Oxnard, CA | $163,200 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $160,300 |
| San Diego, CA | $156,500 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $135,300 |
| Sacramento, CA | $120,500 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for physicists.
| 1. Florida | $225,400 |
| 2. New Hampshire | $214,000 |
| 3. Pennsylvania | $211,000 |
| 4. California | $207,500 |
| 5. Oregon | $200,300 |
| 6. Oklahoma | $200,100 |
| 7. Texas | $184,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $99.75 ($207,500 a year).
Do physicists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $207,500 against $172,300 nationally, 20% more.
Where does California rank for physicist pay?
California ranks 4 of 43 states.
Which city in California pays physicists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $173,500 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.