Physicists Salary in LA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Physicists in LA have a median annual salary of $166,240, with 40 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $85,360 at the 10th percentile to $214,090 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$166,240

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$79.92

Employment

40

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$85,360
10th
$101,870
25th
$166,240
Median
$189,710
75th
$214,090
90th

Local compared with national

LA

$166,240

Median annual · 2025

United States

$172,250

Median annual · 2025

The LA median is 3.5% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $6,010).

Top skills

  1. 1.ScienceImportance 4.9
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.6
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.5
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 4.5
  5. 5.MathematicsImportance 4.5
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 4.5
  7. 7.WritingImportance 4.4
  8. 8.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 4.4
  9. 9.Active ListeningImportance 4.1
  10. 10.Learning StrategiesImportance 4.0
  11. 11.InstructingImportance 3.9
  12. 12.MonitoringImportance 3.8

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
5

Technology used

  • Adobe Audition
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Ansible software
  • Aptech Systems GAUSS
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • C
  • C++
  • Canu
  • CERN Physics Analysis Workstation PAW
  • CERN ROOT
  • COMSOL Multiphysics
  • Criss Software XRF11
  • Database application software
  • Dose modeling software

Common tasks

  • Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
  • Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
  • Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
  • Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
  • Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.
  • Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes, to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.
  • Write research proposals to receive funding.
  • Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
  • Teach physics to students.
  • Develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and apply these theories and laws to problems in areas such as nuclear energy, optics, and aerospace technology.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Physicists salary in other locations

Other occupations in LA