As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for an Experimental Physicist in California is $115,151 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, an Experimental Physicist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Experimental Physicist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $127,006 | $10,584 | $2,442 | $61 |
| Average | $115,151 | $9,596 | $2,214 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,435 | $8,620 | $1,989 | $50 |
Focus Staff - LEBANON, NH
AMG SPECIALTY HOSPITAL ‑ ALBUQUERQUE - ALBUQUERQUE, NM
AMG SPECIALTY HOSPITAL ‑ ALBUQUERQUE - ALBUQUERQUE, NM
AMG SPECIALTY HOSPITAL ‑ ALBUQUERQUE - ALBUQUERQUE, NM
An Experimental Physicist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Experimental Physicist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Physicist... Level Experimental Physicist | $79,753 |
| Physicist... Level Experimental Physicist | $100,220 |
| Experimen... Level Experimental Physicist | $117,591 |
| Physicist... Level Experimental Physicist | $153,012 |
| Physicist... Level Experimental Physicist | $170,859 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Experimental Physicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Understanding how an Experimental Physicist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $127,006 | $10,584 | $2,442 | $61 |
| Average | $115,151 | $9,596 | $2,214 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,435 | $8,620 | $1,989 | $50 |
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