Physicists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $214,520 +29% vs national
Median hourly $103.14
10th percentile $139,420
90th percentile —
Employed locally 430
National median $166,290

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Physicists
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $139,420
    25th
    $169,660
    50th (median)
    $214,520
    75th
    $214,520

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 136% Median Physicists salary is 36% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physicists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $266,260
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $226,750
    Cleveland, OH $225,930
    Minnesota $222,550
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $219,070
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $215,340

    Nearby metros — Physicists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $180,900
    North Carolina $170,690
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $165,730
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $163,210
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $153,890
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $150,490

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $155,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $132,230
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,630
    Biological Technicians $71,920
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,520
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $75,670

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in San Jose, CA is $103.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $145.21 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in San Jose, CA is 29% above the national median of $166,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physicists in San Jose?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $139,420 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $169,660.