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Physicist IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist IV in the United States is $140,836 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $165,819
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,627 to $153,913
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $111,780
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physicist IV Salaries

A Physicist IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physicist IV'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 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
  • Physicist VI (10-12 years): $186,405
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Physicist II2-4 years$92,252
Physicist III4-7 years$108,224
Physicist IV7+ years$140,836
Physicist V7-10 years$157,221
Physicist VI10-12 years$186,405
View as Graph

How Do Physicist IVs 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $155,934.
  • California: $155,342.
  • Massachusetts: $153,272.

Top Paying Cities for Physicist IV

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: $177,636
  • San Francisco: $175,692
  • Oakland: $171,989

What Skills Can Increase a Physicist IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.69% 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 5.79% Job Postings): Recording, analyzing, and measuring brain activities through electroencephalogram tests to detect, diagnose, and treat brain disorders.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.69%
Radiology 5.79%
Patient Care 1.75%
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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 IV's salary.

  • Clinical Research: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Clinical Research $194,354
38%
Presentation $166,186
18%
Project Management $161,961
15%
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Physicist IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physicist IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $158,137. While startup companies pay approximate $133,977.

Physicist IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $133,977
Growth Stage 51~500 $141,633
Established 501~5000 $152,762
Enterprise 5000+ $158,137

Physicist IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physicist IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% 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 IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Physicist IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$183,087$88.030%
Aerospace & Defense$169,003$81.020%
Software & Networking$169,003$81.020%
Energy & Utilities$161,961$78.015%
Biotechnology$154,920$74.010%

How Education impacts an Physicist IV's Salary?

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

Physicist IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physicist IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.1%
High School 93.9%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 6.1%
Doctorate 93.9%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Physicist IV'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
$125,627
Average $140,836/year
$153,913
$10,469
Average $11,736/month
$12,826
$2,416
Average $2,708/week
$2,960
$60
Average $68/hour
$74
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $153,913 $12,826 $2,960 $74
Average $140,836 $11,736 $2,708 $68
25th Percentile $125,627 $10,469 $2,416 $60

Physicist IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Physicist IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Physicist IV, 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 V $137,002 -3%
Geologist V $131,059 -7%
Geophysicist V $192,094 36%
Microbiologist V $133,864 -5%

Most common benefits for Physicist IV

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

Common company salaries for Physicist IV

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

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FAQ about Physicist IV

1. Where can a Physicist IV earn the most?

A Physicist IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physicist IV is $177,636.

2. What is the highest pay for Physicist IV?

The highest pay for Physicist IV is $165,819.

3. What is the lowest pay for Physicist IV?

The lowest pay for Physicist IV is $111,780.

4. What are the responsibilities of Physicist IV?

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Physicist IV roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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