As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for physics phd in San Jose, CA is $126,184, equivalent to $61 per hour, $2,427 weekly, or $10,515 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 San Jose, CA vary widely, spanning from $95,155 to $148,612. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($109,942) and 75th percentile ($137,924), while top earners (90th percentile) make $148,612 per year. This $27,982 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 Jose physics phd often earn 14.4% higher than national averages. However, San Jose currently ranks 2 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 $95,155 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
25th Percentile physics phd Salary $109,942 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
50th Percentile physics phd Salary $126,184 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
75th Percentile physics phd Salary $137,924 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
90th Percentile physics phd Salary $148,612 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
25% $109,942 10% $95,155 90% $148,612 75% $137,924 $126,184 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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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...

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Job Openings for physics phd in San Jose, CA

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
109942
137924
126184

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
134677
169729
149399
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 Jose, CA. The base salary for physics phd ranges from $109,942 to $137,924 with the average base salary of $126,184. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $134,677 to $169,729 with the average total cash compensation of $149,399.
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109942
137924

 

About San Jose, California    San Jose is located at 37°20′07″N 121°53′31″W / 37.335278°N 121.891944°W / 37.335278; -121.891944. According to the United States Census Bureau, th....More

San Jose, California  area prices were up 2.9% from a year ago

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