California Median
$130,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $122,570
State Rank
#13 of 39
2,320 employed here
How much does a Physical Scientist, All Other make in California?
Physical Scientists, All Other in California take home a median of $130,610 annually — roughly $62.79 an hour — which runs 7% above the national median of $122,570.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $81,360 while the top 10% make $211,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $106,480 and $171,270 a year.
Physical Scientist, All Other salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,360 | $39.12 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $106,480 | $51.19 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $130,610 | $62.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $171,270 | $82.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,150 | $101.51 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 13th out of 39 states and territories for Physical Scientist, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Physical Scientist, All Other salary in other states
District of Columbia $156,730Minnesota $147,890North Dakota $147,650Maryland $141,290South Carolina $141,130Massachusetts $138,380Georgia $137,680Alabama $135,350Pennsylvania $134,780Colorado $134,440Washington $133,980Florida $131,690Tennessee $129,570Arizona $125,270New Mexico $123,820Alaska $120,240Michigan $118,870New York $117,820Utah $115,920Hawaii $112,880New Hampshire $112,370Oklahoma $112,260North Carolina $110,030New Jersey $109,990Oregon $109,580Illinois $108,970Mississippi $108,890Ohio $108,790Nebraska $101,440Texas $100,920Connecticut $99,990Wisconsin $97,470Montana $94,520Louisiana $94,320Kentucky $81,260Iowa $80,810Wyoming $69,240Indiana $68,670
Working as a Physical Scientist, All Other in California
Nationally, about 22,000 people work as Physical Scientists, All Other in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($130,610) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Physical Scientist, All Other make in California?
The median Physical Scientist, All Other salary in California is $130,610 per year, or about $62.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $81,360 at the entry level to $211,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Physical Scientists, All Other about 7% more than the national median of $122,570. California ranks 13th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Physical Scientists, All Other?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $130,610 a year. About 2,320 Physical Scientists, All Other are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Physical Scientist, All Other salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.