Science & Research Saint Louis, MO Pop. 301,578

Physicist Salary in Saint Louis, Missouri

The median physicist salary in Saint Louis, MO is $137,187 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$137,187
vs State Avg
+$3,049
vs National
$-15,243
Cost of Living
90%

Physicist Pay in Saint Louis: What to Expect (2026)

Saint Louis offers a median physicist salary of $137,187, which is $3,049 above the Missouri state average of $134,138. Compared to the national median of $152,430, Saint Louis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Saint Louis's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physicists in Saint Louis spans from $70,200 at the 10th percentile to $214,200 at the 90th percentile — a $144,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,800, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $198,000. With a population of 301,578, Saint Louis is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physicist Salary in Saint Louis by Experience

In Saint Louis, an entry-level physicist earns around $73,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $198,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,800
$-8,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$139,500
$-15,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$198,000
$-22,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Saint Louis, MO

Percentile Saint Louis
10th Percentile $70,200
25th Percentile $97,200
Median (50th) $137,187
75th Percentile $175,500
90th Percentile $214,200

Physicist Salary in Other Missouri Cities

How to Become a Physicist in Saint Louis

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. Saint Louis and the surrounding Missouri 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 Saint Louis may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physicist Jobs in Saint Louis

Browse open physicist positions in Saint Louis, MO:

Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in Saint Louis

How much does a Physicist make in Saint Louis, MO? ▼
The median physicist salary in Saint Louis, Missouri is $137,187 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $70,200 (10th percentile) to $214,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in Saint Louis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $137,187, a physicist in Saint Louis earns approximately $66 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Saint Louis compare to the Missouri state average for physicist pay? ▼
Saint Louis's median physicist salary of $137,187 is 2.3% above the Missouri state average of $134,138. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Saint Louis, MO? ▼
Saint Louis has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a physicist salary of $137,187 in Saint Louis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in Saint Louis? ▼
Most physicist positions in Saint Louis 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.