As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Physical Engineer in the US is $65,725, equivalent to $32 per hour, $1,264 weekly, or $5,477 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Physical Engineer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Physical Engineer in the US vary widely, spanning from $52,233 to $71,313. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($58,663) and 75th percentile ($68,650), while top earners (90th percentile) make $71,313 per year. This $9,987 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 $52,233 US August 01, 2026
25th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $58,663 US August 01, 2026
50th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $65,725 US August 01, 2026
75th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $68,650 US August 01, 2026
90th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $71,313 US August 01, 2026
25% $58,663 10% $52,233 90% $71,313 75% $68,650 $65,725 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria
Check out Physical Engineer jobs in Columbus, Ohio

Systems Engineer - Physical Security

People Driven Technology Inc - Columbus, OH

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Legacy Healthcare Services, Inc. - Columbus, OH

RN - Stepdown (PCU)

Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital - Columbus, OH

Travel OR RN (1007010)

Titan Medical Group, LLC - Columbus, OH

Search More Physical Engineer Jobs in Columbus, Ohio

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

 
 
 
58663
68650
65725

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
67324
80681
73106
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 $58,663 to $68,650 with the average base salary of $65,725. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $67,324 to $80,681 with the average total cash compensation of $73,106.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

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

58663
68650

 

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