Salary AI Book a Demo

Physicist Senior Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Physicist Senior Manager make in the United States?

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

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $209,551
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $155,956 to $196,836
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $131,452
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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
View as Graph

How Do Physicist Senior Managers 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 Senior Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $202,474.
  • California: $201,706.
  • Massachusetts: $199,017.

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

Physicist Senior Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Physicist Senior Manager

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Physicist Senior Manager, 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
VP of Geology $276,653 51%
Molecular Biology Director $207,394 13%

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.

Find Your Next Physicist Senior Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Physicist Senior Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Physicist Senior Manager

1. Where can a Physicist Senior Manager earn the most?

A Physicist Senior Manager'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 Senior Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physicist Senior Manager is $230,654.

2. What is the highest pay for Physicist Senior Manager?

The highest pay for Physicist Senior Manager is $209,551.

3. What is the lowest pay for Physicist Senior Manager?

The lowest pay for Physicist Senior Manager is $131,452.

4. 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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Physicist Senior Manager?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Physicist Senior Manager roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job