Physicists Salary in California
Physicists in California earn a median annual wage of $207,490 —20.5% above the national median of $172,250. That ranks CA #4 of 43 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 2.48× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for physicists
All 43 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $225,390 | $108.36 | 340 | 0.26 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $214,030 | $102.90 | 30 | 0.38 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $210,990 | $101.44 | 230 | 0.28 |
| 4 | California | $207,490 | $99.75 | 5,930 | 2.48 |
| 5 | Oregon | $200,320 | $96.31 | 90 | 0.33 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | $200,050 | $96.18 | 40 | 0.19 |
| 7 | Texas | $184,040 | $88.48 | 580 | 0.31 |
| 8 | New York | $181,970 | $87.48 | 1,140 | 0.90 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $180,910 | $86.98 | 50 | 0.18 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $180,300 | $86.68 | 60 | 0.28 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $97,860 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do physicists make in California?
The median annual wage for physicists in California is $207,490, or $99.75 per hour. That is 20.5% above the national median of $172,250.
What is the entry-level physicists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $125,390 per year ($60.28/hour). The 25th percentile is $173,450.
How many people work as physicists in California?
About 5,930 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for physicists?
California ranks #4 of 43 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 2.48x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays physicists the most?
Florida has the highest median wage at $225,390 per year, followed by New Hampshire ($214,030) and Pennsylvania ($210,990).