Physical Scientists, All Other salary in California
Physical Scientists, All Other in California earn a median of $130,610 a year ($62.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,150 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $122,570. California ranks 13th of 39 states for physical scientists, all other pay. There are 0.13 physical scientists, all other per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $143,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical scientists, all other in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,360 | $39.11 |
| 25th percentile | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Median | $130,610 | $62.79 |
| 75th percentile | $171,270 | $82.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,150 | $101.52 |
| Average (mean) | $143,310 | $68.90 |
Half of physical scientists, all other earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,884.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,442.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,023.46 |
| Weekly | $2,511.73 |
| Hourly | $62.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $160,580 | 340 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $137,340 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $136,160 | 820 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $132,410 | 180 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $131,640 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $128,720 | n/a |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $106,750 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $101,070 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for physical scientists, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $156,730 |
| Minnesota | $147,890 |
| North Dakota | $147,650 |
| Maryland | $141,290 |
| South Carolina | $141,130 |
| Massachusetts | $138,380 |
| Georgia | $137,680 |
| Alabama | $135,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,780 |
| Colorado | $134,440 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Chemist | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Physicist | $207,490 | $99.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Materials Scientist | $177,030 | $85.11 |
| Hydrologist | $122,110 | $58.71 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $124,920 | $60.06 |
| Astronomer | $123,540 | $59.39 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2099. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical scientists, all other make in California?
The median salary for physical scientists, all other in California is $130,610 a year, or $62.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical scientists, all other make in California?
The top 10% of physical scientists, all other in California earn at least $211,150 a year. The top 25% earn $171,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical scientists, all other in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,360 a year, and a quarter of physical scientists, all other earn $106,480 or less.
How many physical scientists, all other work in California?
About 2,320 physical scientists, all other are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.