Science & Research Mount Pleasant, SC Pop. 94,171

Physicist Salary in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

The median physicist salary in Mount Pleasant, SC is $160,052 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 18.0% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$160,052
vs State Avg
+$24,389
vs National
+$7,622
Cost of Living
105%

Physicist Pay in Mount Pleasant: What to Expect (2026)

Mount Pleasant offers a median physicist salary of $160,052, which is $24,389 above the South Carolina state average of $135,663. Compared to the national median of $152,430, Mount Pleasant pays above average for this role.

Mount Pleasant's cost of living is 105% 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 Mount Pleasant spans from $81,900 at the 10th percentile to $249,900 at the 90th percentile — a $168,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $86,100, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $231,000. Mount Pleasant is a smaller market (pop. 94,171), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physicist Salary in Mount Pleasant by Experience

In Mount Pleasant, an entry-level physicist earns around $86,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $231,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$86,100
+$4,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$162,750
+$7,750 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$231,000
+$11,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Mount Pleasant, SC

Percentile Mount Pleasant
10th Percentile $81,900
25th Percentile $113,400
Median (50th) $160,052
75th Percentile $204,750
90th Percentile $249,900

Physicist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Charleston, SC
$152,430
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$144,809
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$140,236
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$137,187
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Physicist in Mount Pleasant

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physicist Jobs in Mount Pleasant

Browse open physicist positions in Mount Pleasant, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in Mount Pleasant

How much does a Physicist make in Mount Pleasant, SC? ▼
The median physicist salary in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina is $160,052 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $81,900 (10th percentile) to $249,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in Mount Pleasant? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $160,052, a physicist in Mount Pleasant earns approximately $77 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Mount Pleasant compare to the South Carolina state average for physicist pay? ▼
Mount Pleasant's median physicist salary of $160,052 is 18.0% above the South Carolina state average of $135,663. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Mount Pleasant, SC? ▼
Mount Pleasant has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a physicist salary of $160,052 in Mount Pleasant has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in Mount Pleasant? ▼
Most physicist positions in Mount Pleasant 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.