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Assistant Physicist Salary in California

How much does an Assistant Physicist make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Physicist in California is $131,611 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

However, an Assistant Physicist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $149,109
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $122,580 to $140,770
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,357
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Assistant Physicist Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Physicist Salaries

An Assistant Physicist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Physicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Physicist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $126,505
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $126,796
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $127,958
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $129,703
  • Expert (over 8 years): $132,502
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Assistant Physicist less than 1 year $126,505
Early Career Level Assistant Physicist 1-2 years $126,796
Mid-Level Level Assistant Physicist 2-4 years $127,958
Senior-Level Level Assistant Physicist 5-8 years $129,703
Expert Level Assistant Physicist over 8 years $132,502

How Do Assistant Physicist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Assistant Physicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $132,112.
  • California: $131,611.
  • Massachusetts: $129,857.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Physicist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $131,838
  • West Hollywood: $131,742
  • Dodgertown: $131,837

Assistant Physicist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Physicist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Physicist positions in Biotechnology or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Physicist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Physicist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $157,933 $76.0 20%
Healthcare $144,772 $70.0 10%

Assistant Physicist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Physicist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$122,580
Average $131,611/year
$140,770
$10,215
Average $10,968/month
$11,731
$2,357
Average $2,531/week
$2,707
$59
Average $63/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $140,770 $11,731 $2,707 $68
Average $131,611 $10,968 $2,531 $63
25th Percentile $122,580 $10,215 $2,357 $59

Find Your Next Assistant Physicist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Physicist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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