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Physicist II Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist II in the United States is $92,252 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,678
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $80,383 to $100,850
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,577
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physicist II Salaries

A Physicist II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physicist II'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 IIs 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $102,141.
  • California: $101,754.
  • Massachusetts: $100,398.

Top Paying Cities for Physicist II

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: $116,357
  • San Francisco: $115,083
  • Oakland: $112,658

What Skills Can Increase a Physicist II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.4% 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.
  • Radiology (Mentioned in 5.66% Job Postings): Recording, analyzing, and measuring brain activities through electroencephalogram tests to detect, diagnose, and treat brain disorders.
  • Acceptance Testing (Mentioned in 1.67% Job Postings): Acceptance testing is the testing of the requirements of a specification. It may involve chemical tests, physical tests, or performance tests, and is typically found in engineering.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.4%
Radiology 5.66%
Acceptance Testing 1.67%
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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 II's salary.

  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 42%.
  • Long Term Care: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Improvement $130,998
42%
Long Term Care $109,780
19%
Accountability $107,012
16%
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Physicist II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physicist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $103,841. While startup companies pay approximate $87,954.

Physicist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $87,954
Growth Stage 51~500 $92,987
Established 501~5000 $100,308
Enterprise 5000+ $103,841

Physicist II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physicist II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% 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 II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Physicist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$129,153$62.040%
Biotechnology$115,315$55.025%
Pharmaceuticals$110,702$53.020%
Energy & Utilities$106,090$51.015%
Aerospace & Defense$101,477$49.010%

How Education impacts an Physicist II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physicist II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,941 and $98,449.

Physicist II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physicist II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 34.6%
High School 19.2%
Associates 46.2%
Bachelors 34.6%
Masters 19.2%
Doctorate 46.2%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Physicist II'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
$80,383
Average $92,252/year
$100,850
$6,699
Average $7,688/month
$8,404
$1,546
Average $1,774/week
$1,939
$39
Average $44/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $100,850 $8,404 $1,939 $48
Average $92,252 $7,688 $1,774 $44
25th Percentile $80,383 $6,699 $1,546 $39

Physicist II Salary Growth & Career Path

Physicist II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Physicist II, 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
Biologist III $83,428 -10%
Geologist III $85,576 -7%
Geophysicist III $141,464 53%
Hydrologist III $112,995 22%

Most common benefits for Physicist II

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

Common company salaries for Physicist II

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

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FAQ about Physicist II

1. Where can a Physicist II earn the most?

A Physicist II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physicist II is $116,357.

2. What is the highest pay for Physicist II?

The highest pay for Physicist II is $108,678.

3. What is the lowest pay for Physicist II?

The lowest pay for Physicist II is $69,577.

4. What are the responsibilities of Physicist II?

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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Physicist II roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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