Physicists Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$166,290
↑ 56.3% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Physicists — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Physicists — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 56.3% since 2011 ($106,360 → $166,290)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $166,290
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 5.7% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately +6%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $166,290 | +6.8% |
| 2023 | $155,680 | +9.0% |
| 2022 | $142,850 | -6.3% |
| 2021 | $152,430 | +17.4% |
| 2020 | $129,850 | +5.7% |
| 2019 | $122,850 | +1.6% |
| 2018 | $120,950 | +1.8% |
| 2017 | $118,830 | +2.6% |
| 2016 | $115,870 | +3.8% |
| 2015 | $111,580 | +1.8% |
| 2014 | $109,600 | -0.5% |
| 2013 | $110,110 | +3.1% |
| 2012 | $106,840 | +0.5% |
| 2011 | $106,360 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.