As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for physics phd in California is $110,250, equivalent to $53 per hour, $2,120 weekly, or $9,188 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for physics phd in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for physics phd in California vary widely, spanning from $83,008 to $129,761. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($95,990) and 75th percentile ($120,463), while top earners (90th percentile) make $129,761 per year. This $24,473 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Radiology, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California physics phd often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 32 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for physics phd job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
