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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Physicist in California is $107,657 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, a Research Physicist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Research Physicist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $121,102 | $10,092 | $2,329 | $58 |
| Average | $107,657 | $8,971 | $2,070 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,482 | $7,790 | $1,798 | $45 |
Stanford University - Stanford, CA
Tech62 Inc. - MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Piedmont Healthcare - BEALLWOOD, GA
Carle Health - VETS ROW, IL
A Research 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 a Research 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 |
|---|---|
| Clinical ... Level Research Physicist | $67,308 |
| Clinical ... Level Research Physicist | $77,885 |
| Research ... Level Research Physicist | $110,610 |
| Clinical ... Level Research Physicist | $119,489 |
| Clinical ... Level Research Physicist | $177,894 |
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 Research 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:
For Research Physicist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Research Physicist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Physicist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $161,485 | $78.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $129,188 | $62.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Research 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 | $121,102 | $10,092 | $2,329 | $58 |
| Average | $107,657 | $8,971 | $2,070 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,482 | $7,790 | $1,798 | $45 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Physicist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Carle Health
URBANA, IL
Piedmont Healthcare
BEALLWOOD, GA
Piedmont Healthcare | BEALLWOOD, GA
Piedmont Healthcare is seeking a Lead Physicist to join our Healthcare & Medical Services department. In this role, you will provide clinical leadership in... more
7 Days Ago
CalPortland
RUBIDOUX, CA
CalPortland | RUBIDOUX, CA
CalPortland seeks a Research Chemist to support innovation in cement, concrete, and related construction materials. In this role, you will design and condu... more
6 Days Ago
GE Vernova
NORTH CAMBRIDGE, MA
GE Vernova | NORTH CAMBRIDGE, MA
As a Research Engineer in GE Vernova’s R&D organization, you will design, model, and test innovative technologies for low‑carbon power generation, grid mod... more
8 Days Ago
GE Vernova
UPPER UNION, NY
GE Vernova | UPPER UNION, NY
GE Vernova is seeking a Lead Research Engineer to drive advanced R&D in our Energy & Utilities portfolio within the Research & Development (R&D) organizati... more
8 Days Ago
GE Vernova
UPPER UNION, NY
GE Vernova | UPPER UNION, NY
As a Research Engineer in GE Vernova’s R&D organization, you will design, model, and test innovative technologies for low‑carbon power generation, grid mod... more
8 Days Ago
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