Physicists Salary
The median physicists salary in the United States is $172,250 per year ($82.81/hour). Salaries range from $82,110 at the entry level to $274,110+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 20,430 physicists jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 4% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$172,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$82.81
per hour
Employment
20,430
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$82,110
25th percentile
$111,720
Median
$172,250
75th percentile
$222,760
90th percentile
$274,110
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+4%
As fast as average
Annual Openings
1,700
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Doctoral or professional degree
Physicists Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$83K$225K■ No data
Top Paying States
Florida
$225K
+31%
New Hampshire
$214K
+24%
Pennsylvania
$211K
+22%
California
$207K
+20%
Oregon
$200K
+16%
Oklahoma
$200K
+16%
Texas
$184K
+7%
New York
$182K
+6%
Kentucky
$181K
+5%
Connecticut
$180K
+5%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 | +30.9% |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 | +24.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 | +22.5% |
| California | $207,490 | +20.5% |
| Oregon | $200,320 | +16.3% |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 | +16.1% |
| Texas | $184,040 | +6.8% |
| New York | $181,970 | +5.6% |
| Kentucky | $180,910 | +5.0% |
| Connecticut | $180,300 | +4.7% |
Showing 1–10 of 43
Physicists Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $272,480 | +58.2% |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $266,260 | +54.6% |
| Cleveland, OH | $239,360 | +39.0% |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $236,920 | +37.5% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $224,160 | +30.1% |
| Richmond, VA | $218,290 | +26.7% |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $199,770 | +16.0% |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $199,170 | +15.6% |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $194,290 | +12.8% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $181,970 | +5.6% |
Showing 1–10 of 60
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A physicists earning $172,250/year would need 346 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 372 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how physicists salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Physicists salary trend (2011–2024) →