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.