Science & Research Greenville, SC Pop. 72,095

Physicist Salary in Greenville, South Carolina

The median physicist salary in Greenville, SC is $140,236 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$140,236
vs State Avg
+$4,573
vs National
$-12,194
Cost of Living
92%

Physicist Pay in Greenville: What to Expect (2026)

Greenville offers a median physicist salary of $140,236, which is $4,573 above the South Carolina state average of $135,663. Compared to the national median of $152,430, Greenville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Greenville's cost of living is 92% 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 Greenville spans from $71,760 at the 10th percentile to $218,960 at the 90th percentile — a $147,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $75,440, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $202,400. Greenville is a smaller market (pop. 72,095), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physicist Salary in Greenville by Experience

In Greenville, an entry-level physicist earns around $75,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $202,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$75,440
$-6,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$142,600
$-12,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$202,400
$-17,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Greenville, SC

Percentile Greenville
10th Percentile $71,760
25th Percentile $99,360
Median (50th) $140,236
75th Percentile $179,400
90th Percentile $218,960

Physicist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$160,052
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$152,430
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$144,809
Pop. 115,382
Columbia, SC
$137,187
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Physicist in Greenville

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. Greenville and the surrounding South Carolina 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 Greenville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physicist Jobs in Greenville

Browse open physicist positions in Greenville, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in Greenville

How much does a Physicist make in Greenville, SC? ▼
The median physicist salary in Greenville, South Carolina is $140,236 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $71,760 (10th percentile) to $218,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in Greenville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $140,236, a physicist in Greenville earns approximately $67 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Greenville compare to the South Carolina state average for physicist pay? ▼
Greenville's median physicist salary of $140,236 is 3.4% above the South Carolina state average of $135,663. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Greenville, SC? ▼
Greenville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a physicist salary of $140,236 in Greenville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in Greenville? ▼
Most physicist positions in Greenville 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.