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Physicist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Physicist I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist I in the United States is $73,395 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Physicist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,038
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,253 to $80,013
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,840
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physicist I Salaries

A Physicist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Physicist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physicist I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Physicist I (0-2 years): $73,395
  • Physicist II (2-4 years): $92,252
  • Physicist III (4-7 years): $108,224
  • Physicist IV (7+ years): $140,836
  • Physicist V (7-10 years): $157,221
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Physicist I0-2 years$73,395
Physicist II2-4 years$92,252
Physicist III4-7 years$108,224
Physicist IV7+ years$140,836
Physicist V7-10 years$157,221
View as Graph

How Do Physicist Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Physicist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,263.
  • California: $80,955.
  • Massachusetts: $79,876.

Top Paying Cities for Physicist I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $92,573
  • San Francisco: $91,560
  • Oakland: $89,630

What Skills Can Increase a Physicist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 10.25% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 6.54% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Technical Skills (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Technical skills are the specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform specific tasks and use specific tools and programs in real world situations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 10.25%
Calibration 6.54%
Technical Skills 1.6%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Physicist I's salary.

  • Nuclear Medicine: Can increase your salary by up to 56%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 51%.
  • MRI: Can increase your salary by up to 50%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Nuclear Medicine $114,496
56%
Consulting $110,826
51%
MRI $110,093
50%
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Physicist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physicist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,615. While startup companies pay approximate $69,976.

Physicist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,976
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,980
Established 501~5000 $79,804
Enterprise 5000+ $82,615

Physicist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physicist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 150% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Physicist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Physicist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Physicist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$117,432$56.060%
Pharmaceuticals$102,753$49.040%
Biotechnology$95,414$46.030%
Energy & Utilities$88,074$42.020%
Aerospace & Defense$80,734$39.010%

How Education impacts an Physicist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physicist I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Physicist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $70,975 and $75,970.

Physicist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physicist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 1.0%
Associates 19.0%
Bachelors 41.9%
Masters 19.0%
Doctorate 38.1%
View as Graph

Physicist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physicist I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$65,253
Average $73,395/year
$80,013
$5,438
Average $6,116/month
$6,668
$1,255
Average $1,411/week
$1,539
$31
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,013 $6,668 $1,539 $38
Average $73,395 $6,116 $1,411 $35
25th Percentile $65,253 $5,438 $1,255 $31

Physicist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Physicist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Physicist I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Agronomist $67,342 -8%
Biologist II $66,838 -9%
Geologist II $68,837 -6%
Geophysicist II $104,443 42%

Most common benefits for Physicist I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Physicist I

Here are companies hiring for Physicist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Physicist I

1. Where can a Physicist I earn the most?

A Physicist I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Physicist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physicist I is $92,573.

2. What is the highest pay for Physicist I?

The highest pay for Physicist I is $86,038.

3. What is the lowest pay for Physicist I?

The lowest pay for Physicist I is $57,840.

4. What are the responsibilities of Physicist I?

Conducts research and analysis to study and apply the laws of nature, including the behavior of matter, energy, space, and time. Develops laws and theories of physics for their application to specific industries and fields. Designs experiments and describes and illustrates observations and conclusions in mathematical terms. Utilizes computational tools and statistical methods to develop mathematical models that explain physical processes. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Physicist I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Physicist I roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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