Hourly Wage for Physicist Senior Manager Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Physicist Senior Manager?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Physicist Senior Manager in the United States is $88, which translates to an annual salary of about $182,870.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $101 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75 to $95 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Physicist Senior Manager Salaries

A Physicist Senior Manager'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Physicist Senior Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physicist Senior Manager'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 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
  • Physicist Senior Manager (12+ years): $182,870
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Physicist III4-7 years$108,224
Physicist IV7+ years$140,836
Physicist V7-10 years$157,221
Physicist VI10-12 years$186,405
Physicist Senior Manager12+ years$182,870

Top Paying Cities for Physicist Senior Manager

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: $230,654
  • San Francisco: $228,128
  • Oakland: $223,321

Physicist Senior Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physicist Senior Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $205,660. While startup companies pay approximate $174,225.

Physicist Senior Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $174,225
Growth Stage 51~500 $184,186
Established 501~5000 $198,670
Enterprise 5000+ $205,660

Physicist Senior Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physicist Senior Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Physicist Senior Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Physicist Senior Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Physicist Senior Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$228,588$110.025%
Pharmaceuticals$219,444$106.020%
Aerospace & Defense$210,300$101.015%
MFG Durable$201,157$97.010%
Business Services$192,014$92.05%

Physicist Senior Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physicist Senior Manager'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
$155,956
Average $182,870/year
$196,836
$12,996
Average $15,239/month
$16,403
$2,999
Average $3,517/week
$3,785
$75
Average $88/hour
$95
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $196,836 $16,403 $3,785 $95
Average $182,870 $15,239 $3,517 $88
25th Percentile $155,956 $12,996 $2,999 $75

Most common benefits for Physicist Senior Manager

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

Common company salaries for Physicist Senior Manager

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

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FAQ about Physicist Senior Manager

1. What are the responsibilities of Physicist Senior Manager?

Manages the research and analysis to understand and apply the laws of nature, including the behavior of matter, energy, space, and time. Manages and oversees simultaneous projects, coordinating resources and ensuring timely completion and alignment with goals. 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. Interprets conclusions and recommends applications for findings. Utilizes computational tools and statistical methods to develop mathematical models that explain physical processes. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

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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