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Physicist V Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist V in the United States is $157,221 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,661
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $143,378 to $166,873
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $130,775
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physicist V Salaries

A Physicist V'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 V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physicist V'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 Vs 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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $174,075.
  • California: $173,415.
  • Massachusetts: $171,104.

Top Paying Cities for Physicist V

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: $198,303
  • San Francisco: $196,132
  • Oakland: $191,998

What Skills Can Increase a Physicist V's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.92% 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 5.76% Job Postings): Recording, analyzing, and measuring brain activities through electroencephalogram tests to detect, diagnose, and treat brain disorders.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.74% 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 9.92%
Radiology 5.76%
Patient Care 1.74%
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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 V's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 51%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $237,404
51%
Communication Skills $199,671
27%
Innovation $190,237
21%
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Physicist V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physicist V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $176,972. While startup companies pay approximate $149,896.

Physicist V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $149,896
Growth Stage 51~500 $158,473
Established 501~5000 $170,950
Enterprise 5000+ $176,972

Physicist V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physicist V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology 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 V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Physicist V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$220,109$106.040%
Biotechnology$204,387$98.030%
Pharmaceuticals$196,526$94.025%
Aerospace & Defense$188,665$91.020%
Energy & Utilities$172,943$83.010%

How Education impacts an Physicist V's Salary?

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

Physicist V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physicist V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.0%
High School 8.1%
Associates 88.9%
Bachelors 3.0%
Masters 8.1%
Doctorate 88.9%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Physicist V'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
$143,378
Average $157,221/year
$166,873
$11,948
Average $13,102/month
$13,906
$2,757
Average $3,023/week
$3,209
$69
Average $76/hour
$80
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $166,873 $13,906 $3,209 $80
Average $157,221 $13,102 $3,023 $76
25th Percentile $143,378 $11,948 $2,757 $69

Physicist V Salary Growth & Career Path

Physicist V

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Physicist V, 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
Geologist Manager $139,750 -11%
Molecular Biology Senior Manager $144,043 -8%
Physicist VI $186,405 19%

Most common benefits for Physicist V

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

Common company salaries for Physicist V

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

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FAQ about Physicist V

1. Where can a Physicist V earn the most?

A Physicist V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physicist V is $198,303.

2. What is the highest pay for Physicist V?

The highest pay for Physicist V is $175,661.

3. What is the lowest pay for Physicist V?

The lowest pay for Physicist V is $130,775.

4. What are the responsibilities of Physicist V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

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

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