Science & Research Silver Spring, MD Pop. 81,015

Physicist Salary in Silver Spring, Maryland

The median physicist salary in Silver Spring, MD is $185,965 per year, which is 22.0% above the national median and 10.9% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$185,965
vs State Avg
+$18,292
vs National
+$33,535
Cost of Living
122%

Physicist Pay in Silver Spring: What to Expect (2026)

Silver Spring offers a median physicist salary of $185,965, which is $18,292 above the Maryland state average of $167,673. Compared to the national median of $152,430, Silver Spring pays above average for this role.

However, Silver Spring's cost of living index is 122%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $185,965 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $152,430. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Silver Spring should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for physicists in Silver Spring spans from $95,160 at the 10th percentile to $290,360 at the 90th percentile — a $195,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $100,040, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $268,400. Silver Spring is a smaller market (pop. 81,015), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physicist Salary in Silver Spring by Experience

In Silver Spring, an entry-level physicist earns around $100,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $268,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 122% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$100,040
+$18,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$189,100
+$34,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$268,400
+$48,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Silver Spring, MD

Percentile Silver Spring
10th Percentile $95,160
25th Percentile $131,760
Median (50th) $185,965
75th Percentile $237,900
90th Percentile $290,360

Physicist Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Columbia, MD
$179,867
Pop. 104,681
Germantown, MD
$175,295
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$164,624
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$160,052
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Physicist in Silver Spring

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. Silver Spring and the surrounding Maryland area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Mathematical ModelingExperimental PhysicsPython/MATLABData AnalysisScientific WritingLaboratory Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, physicist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Silver Spring may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physicist Jobs in Silver Spring

Browse open physicist positions in Silver Spring, MD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in Silver Spring

How much does a Physicist make in Silver Spring, MD? ▼
The median physicist salary in Silver Spring, Maryland is $185,965 per year, which is 22.0% above the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $95,160 (10th percentile) to $290,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in Silver Spring? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $185,965, a physicist in Silver Spring earns approximately $89 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Silver Spring compare to the Maryland state average for physicist pay? ▼
Silver Spring's median physicist salary of $185,965 is 10.9% above the Maryland state average of $167,673. The local cost of living index is 122% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Silver Spring, MD? ▼
Silver Spring has a cost of living index of 122% compared to the national average. This means a physicist salary of $185,965 in Silver Spring has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in Silver Spring? ▼
Most physicist positions in Silver Spring require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Mathematical Modeling, Experimental Physics, Python/MATLAB, Data Analysis. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.