Physicists Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 7 metro areas • California
Physicists in California earn a median salary of $147,257 per year on average across 7 metro and nonmetro areas, -11.4% vs the national median of $166,290. An estimated 1,470 physicists are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $109,540 to $214,520 depending on location.
$147,257
Avg median salary in California
$214,520
Highest paying metro
$109,540
Lowest paying metro
1,470
Employed in California
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Physicists salaries by city in California
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $214,520 | $169,660 | $214,520 | 430 |
| Oxnard, CA | $163,210 | $116,080 | $232,160 | 50 |
| Riverside, CA | $150,490 | $109,660 | $216,500 | 70 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $135,260 | $101,170 | $159,700 | 80 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $133,070 | $103,220 | $214,050 | 370 |
| San Diego, CA | $124,710 | $56,890 | $172,750 | 370 |
| Sacramento, CA | $109,540 | $85,060 | $123,700 | 100 |