Physicist salary in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Physicists in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area earn a median of $163,210 a year ($78.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,930 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 21% lower than the California statewide median of $207,490. There are 0.15 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $169,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| 25th percentile | $116,080 | $55.81 |
| Median | $163,210 | $78.47 |
| 75th percentile | $232,160 | $111.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $239,930 | $115.35 |
| Average (mean) | $169,620 | $81.55 |
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 | $13,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,800.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,277.31 |
| Weekly | $3,138.65 |
| Hourly | $78.47 |
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 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $160,270 | 550 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $156,480 | 290 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $135,260 | 80 |
| 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $82,960 | $39.89 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $110,260 | $53.01 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $111,830 | $53.76 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $131,640 | $63.29 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,960 | $56.23 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $107,220 | $51.55 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,910 | $62.46 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| School Psychologist | $129,610 | $62.31 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $110,520 | $53.14 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Biological Technician | $58,240 | $28.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The median salary for physicists in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area is $163,210 a year, or $78.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area earn at least $239,930 a year. The top 25% earn $232,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,480 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $116,080 or less.
How many physicists work in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
About 50 physicists are employed in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.