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Physicist III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist III in the United States is $108,224 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,907
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,132 to $120,097
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,944
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physicist III Salaries

A Physicist III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physicist III'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 IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $119,826.
  • California: $119,371.
  • Massachusetts: $117,780.

Top Paying Cities for Physicist III

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: $136,503
  • San Francisco: $135,008
  • Oakland: $132,163

What Skills Can Increase a Physicist III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 11.42% 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.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 6.52% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
  • Quality Control (Mentioned in 1.11% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 11.42%
Quality Assurance 6.52%
Quality Control 1.11%
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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 III's salary.

  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 31%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Verbal Communication $141,773
31%
Project Management $126,622
17%
Dedication $120,129
11%
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Physicist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physicist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $121,820. While startup companies pay approximate $103,182.

Physicist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $103,182
Growth Stage 51~500 $109,086
Established 501~5000 $117,674
Enterprise 5000+ $121,820

Physicist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physicist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 115% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals 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 III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Physicist III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$151,514$73.040%
Pharmaceuticals$140,691$68.030%
Biotechnology$135,280$65.025%
Energy & Utilities$129,869$62.020%
Chemicals$119,046$57.010%

How Education impacts an Physicist III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physicist III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Physicist III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physicist III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.3%
High School 15.2%
Associates 81.5%
Bachelors 3.3%
Masters 15.2%
Doctorate 81.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Physicist III'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
$98,132
Average $108,224/year
$120,097
$8,178
Average $9,019/month
$10,008
$1,887
Average $2,081/week
$2,310
$47
Average $52/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $120,097 $10,008 $2,310 $58
Average $108,224 $9,019 $2,081 $52
25th Percentile $98,132 $8,178 $1,887 $47

Physicist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Physicist III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Physicist III, 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 IV $120,870 12%
Geologist IV $109,159 1%
Geophysicist IV $156,283 44%
Hydrologist IV $142,646 32%

Most common benefits for Physicist III

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

Common company salaries for Physicist III

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

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FAQ about Physicist III

1. Where can a Physicist III earn the most?

A Physicist III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physicist III is $136,503.

2. What is the highest pay for Physicist III?

The highest pay for Physicist III is $130,907.

3. What is the lowest pay for Physicist III?

The lowest pay for Physicist III is $88,944.

4. What are the responsibilities of Physicist III?

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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Physicist III 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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