Physicists in California
Local pay for physicists in California, on the same wage scale as the U.S. Growth and openings are national.
SOC 19-2012
$207,490
median pay, California
5,930
employed in California
+20.5%
vs U.S. median
+4.0%
growth, 2024–34 (U.S.)
What physicists earn in California
California · annual wage · OEWS May 2025
Half of physicists in California earn between $173,450 and $222,760 a year; the U.S. median is $172,250.
$125,390
P10
$173,450
P25
$207,490
MEDIAN
$222,760
P75
$296,740
P90
Pay by metro in California
$173,450
$163,990
$163,210
$160,270
$156,480
$135,260
$120,490
$60k $190k $320k