As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for physics phd in San Diego, CA is $107,987, equivalent to $52 per hour, $2,077 weekly, or $8,999 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for physics phd in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for physics phd in San Diego, CA vary widely, spanning from $81,466 to $127,270. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($94,105) and 75th percentile ($118,081), while top earners (90th percentile) make $127,270 per year. This $23,976 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, San Diego physics phd often earn 2.2% higher than national averages. However, San Diego currently ranks 128 statewide for physics phd job salary. 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
physics phd Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile physics phd Salary $81,466 San Diego, CA May 01, 2026
25th Percentile physics phd Salary $94,105 San Diego, CA May 01, 2026
50th Percentile physics phd Salary $107,987 San Diego, CA May 01, 2026
75th Percentile physics phd Salary $118,081 San Diego, CA May 01, 2026
90th Percentile physics phd Salary $127,270 San Diego, CA May 01, 2026
25% $94,105 10% $81,466 90% $127,270 75% $118,081 $107,987 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Remote Physics Specialist (PhD)

Turing - San Francisco, CA

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What is a physics phd ?

A PhD in Physics opens up a range of career opportunities across academia, industry, and research institutions. Salaries for individuals holding a PhD in Physics can vary significantly based on factors such as location, sector, and level of experience. In academia, postdoctoral researchers may earn between $50,000 and $70,000 annually, while faculty positions can range from $70,000 to over $120,000, depending on rank and institution. In the private sector, physicists working in technology, engineering, or data analysis may see salaries starting around $80,000, with experienced professionals ea...

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

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
94105
118081
107987

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
115441
145490
128068
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of physics phd in San Diego, CA. The base salary for physics phd ranges from $94,105 to $118,081 with the average base salary of $107,987. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $115,441 to $145,490 with the average total cash compensation of $128,068.
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94105
118081

 

About San Diego, California    According to SDSU professor emeritus Monte Marshall, San Diego Bay is "the surface expression of a north-south-trending, nested graben". The Rose Cany....More

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