Physicist salary in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Physicists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn a median of $135,260 a year ($65.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 35% lower than the California statewide median of $207,490. There are 0.23 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| 25th percentile | $101,170 | $48.64 |
| Median | $135,260 | $65.03 |
| 75th percentile | $159,700 | $76.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $137,290 | $66.00 |
Half of physicists 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 | $11,271.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,635.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,202.31 |
| Weekly | $2,601.15 |
| Hourly | $65.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,450 | 440 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $163,990 | n/a |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $163,210 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $160,270 | 550 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $156,480 | 290 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $120,490 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Chemist | $97,570 | $46.91 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $137,340 | $66.03 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $132,110 | $63.51 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,550 | $56.03 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| School Psychologist | $126,430 | $60.79 |
| Chemical Technician | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Agricultural Technician | $52,620 | $25.30 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $79,970 | $38.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2012. 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 physicist make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The median salary for physicists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area is $135,260 a year, or $65.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $159,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,300 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $101,170 or less.
How many physicists work in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
About 80 physicists are employed in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.