Science & Research Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Physicist Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median physicist salary in Grand Island, NE is $128,041 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 6.7% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$128,041
vs State Avg
$-9,146
vs National
$-24,389
Cost of Living
84%

Physicist Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median physicist salary of $128,041, which is $9,146 below the Nebraska state average of $137,187. Compared to the national median of $152,430, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $128,041 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $152,430 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Island an attractive option for physicists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physicists in Grand Island spans from $65,520 at the 10th percentile to $199,920 at the 90th percentile — a $134,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,880, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $184,800. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physicist Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, an entry-level physicist earns around $68,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $184,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,880
$-13,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$130,200
$-24,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$184,800
$-35,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Island, NE

Percentile Grand Island
10th Percentile $65,520
25th Percentile $90,720
Median (50th) $128,041
75th Percentile $163,800
90th Percentile $199,920

Physicist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$141,760
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$140,236
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$137,187
Pop. 291,082
Kearney, NE
$131,090
Pop. 33,464

How to Become a Physicist in Grand Island

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. Grand Island and the surrounding Nebraska 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 Grand Island may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physicist Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open physicist positions in Grand Island, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Physicist make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median physicist salary in Grand Island, Nebraska is $128,041 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $65,520 (10th percentile) to $199,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $128,041, a physicist in Grand Island earns approximately $62 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for physicist pay? ▼
Grand Island's median physicist salary of $128,041 is 6.7% below the Nebraska state average of $137,187. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a physicist salary of $128,041 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in Grand Island? ▼
Most physicist positions in Grand Island 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.