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Physicist III Salary in Defuniak Springs, FL

How much does a Physicist III make in Defuniak Springs, FL?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist III in Defuniak Springs, FL is $98,499 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,143
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $89,314 to $109,305
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,951

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, skills 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): $66,800
  • Physicist II (2-4 years): $83,962
  • Physicist III (4-7 years): $98,499
  • Physicist IV (7+ years): $128,180
  • Physicist V (7-10 years): $143,093
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Physicist I0-2 years$66,800
Physicist II2-4 years$83,962
Physicist III4-7 years$98,499
Physicist IV7+ years$128,180
Physicist V7-10 years$143,093

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%

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 $129,034
31%
Project Management $115,244
17%
Dedication $109,334
11%

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 $110,873. While startup companies pay approximate $93,910.

Physicist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $93,910
Growth Stage 51~500 $99,284
Established 501~5000 $107,100
Enterprise 5000+ $110,873

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%

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
$89,314
Average $98,499/year
$109,305
$7,443
Average $8,208/month
$9,109
$1,718
Average $1,894/week
$2,102
$43
Average $47/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $109,305 $9,109 $2,102 $53
Average $98,499 $8,208 $1,894 $47
25th Percentile $89,314 $7,443 $1,718 $43

Physicist III Salary Growth & Career Path

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.

Physicist III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biologist IV $110,009 12%
Geologist IV $99,350 1%
Geophysicist IV $142,239 44%
Hydrologist IV $129,828 32%

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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