How much does a physicist make in San Jose?
$173,500a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area. That is $83.39 an hour or $14,450 a month.
- Hourly
- $83.39
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 13 of 60
- Jobs in the area
- 440
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $122,800Median: $173,500Highest 10%: $302,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $122,800 | $59.06 | |
| 25th | $150,500 | $72.34 | |
| Median | $173,500 | $83.39 | |
| 75th | $226,800 | $109.01 | |
| 90th | $302,000 | $145.21 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Jose
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Materials Scientist | $231,900 |
| Psychologist | $175,200 |
| Physical Scientist | $160,600 |
| 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 physicist make an hour in San Jose?
The median hourly pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $83.39 ($173,500 a year).
Do physicists make more in San Jose than the national average?
Yes: $173,500 against $172,300 nationally, 1% more.
How does San Jose compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $207,500, so San Jose pays 16% less.
Where does San Jose rank for physicist pay?
13 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% make $122,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $302,000 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.