As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Physical Engineer in the US is $65,748, equivalent to $32 per hour, $1,264 weekly, or $5,479 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Physical Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Physical Engineer in the US vary widely, spanning from $52,266 to $71,341. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($58,691) and 75th percentile ($68,676), while top earners (90th percentile) make $71,341 per year. This $9,985 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Material Flow, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Physical Engineer often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 42 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Physical Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $52,266 US April 01, 2026
25th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $58,691 US April 01, 2026
50th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $65,748 US April 01, 2026
75th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $68,676 US April 01, 2026
90th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $71,341 US April 01, 2026
25% $58,691 10% $52,266 90% $71,341 75% $68,676 $65,748 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out Physical Engineer jobs in Columbus, Ohio

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What is A Physical Engineer ?

A Physical Engineer specializes in applying principles of physics and engineering to develop solutions for various technical challenges. Responsibilities include designing and testing equipment, conducting experiments, and analyzing data to improve product performance. Physical Engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to innovate and enhance technologies in fields such as aerospace, automotive, and energy. Salaries for Physical Engineers can vary widely based on factors such as experience, education, industry, and geographic location. On average, entry-level positions may sta...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

See user submitted job responsibilities for Physical Engineer.

Job Openings for Physical Engineer

Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    Physical Engineer

    0 - 2 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Materials Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for A Physical Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
58691
68676
65748

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
66651
79876
72375
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Physical Engineer in the United States. The base salary for Physical Engineer ranges from $58,691 to $68,676 with the average base salary of $65,748. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $66,651 to $79,876 with the average total cash compensation of $72,375.

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For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

58691
68676

 

Jobs with a similar salary range to Physical Engineer : Material Science Engineering