Physicist Salary
Physicists study matter, energy, and fundamental forces to understand the physical world and develop new technologies.
Physicist Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level physicists earn around $82,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $155,000. Senior-level physicists can earn $220,000 or more.
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View Offers You Qualify For →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for physicists varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $78,000, while the top 10% earn $238,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $78,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $152,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $195,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $238,000 |
Physicist Salary by State
Physicist salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $259,131, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $126,517.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $259,131 | Details → |
| #2 California | $210,353 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $205,781 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $189,013 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $185,965 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $175,295 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $175,295 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $170,722 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $167,673 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $167,673 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $160,052 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $160,052 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $160,052 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $158,527 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $153,954 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $153,954 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $149,381 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $149,381 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $147,857 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $147,857 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $147,857 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $147,857 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $146,333 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $144,809 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $144,809 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $143,284 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $141,760 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $141,760 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $140,236 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $140,236 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $140,236 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $140,236 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $138,711 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $137,187 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $137,187 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $137,187 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $137,187 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $137,187 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $135,663 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $135,663 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $135,663 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $134,138 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $134,138 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $132,614 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $132,614 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $132,614 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $131,090 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $128,041 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $128,041 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $126,517 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Physicists who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $67,570 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Research physical phenomena
- ● Design experiments
- ● Develop mathematical models
- ● Publish in scientific journals
- ● Collaborate with engineers
Top Skills
Education Required
Doctoral degree
Job Outlook
Faster than average — projected 8% growth over the next decade
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