Physicists Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for physicists in the United States was $172,250 ($82.81 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| 25th | $111,720 | $53.71 |
| Median | $172,250 | $82.81 |
| 75th | $222,760 | $107.10 |
| 90th | $274,110 | $131.79 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-2012
- Total U.S. employment: 20,430
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
A closer look
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $82,110, median pay is $172,250, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $274,110.
Across the United States, 20,430 physicists are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this a mid-sized occupations in the national economy.
Physicists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $139,330 | $66.98 | -19.1% | 280 |
| Arizona | $130,500 | $62.74 | -24.2% | 120 |
| Arkansas | $135,820 | $65.30 | -21.1% | 60 |
| California | $207,490 | $99.75 | +20.5% | 5,930 |
| Colorado | $104,580 | $50.28 | -39.3% | 1,050 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 | $86.68 | +4.7% | 60 |
| Delaware | $82,590 | $39.71 | -52.1% | 50 |
| District of Columbia | $157,040 | $75.50 | -8.8% | 480 |
| Florida | $225,390 | $108.36 | +30.9% | 340 |
| Georgia | $144,870 | $69.65 | -15.9% | 160 |
| Hawaii | $117,190 | $56.34 | -32.0% | 40 |
| Idaho | $135,150 | $64.97 | -21.5% | 0 |
| Illinois | $137,140 | $65.93 | -20.4% | 1,590 |
| Indiana | $105,940 | $50.93 | -38.5% | 230 |
| Iowa | $178,110 | $85.63 | +3.4% | 110 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 | $86.98 | +5.0% | 50 |
| Louisiana | $166,240 | $79.92 | -3.5% | 40 |
| Maine | — | — | — | 60 |
| Maryland | $174,390 | $83.84 | +1.2% | 1,200 |
| Massachusetts | $106,410 | $51.16 | -38.2% | 1,150 |
| Michigan | $94,520 | $45.44 | -45.1% | 510 |
| Minnesota | $171,220 | $82.32 | -0.6% | 110 |
| Mississippi | $129,970 | $62.49 | -24.5% | 80 |
| Missouri | $140,460 | $67.53 | -18.5% | 90 |
| Montana | $103,800 | $49.90 | -39.7% | 30 |
| Nevada | $154,030 | $74.05 | -10.6% | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 | $102.90 | +24.3% | 30 |
| New Jersey | $163,270 | $78.49 | -5.2% | 470 |
| New Mexico | $165,340 | $79.49 | -4.0% | 580 |
| New York | $181,970 | $87.48 | +5.6% | 1,140 |
| North Carolina | $174,180 | $83.74 | +1.1% | 150 |
| Ohio | $162,900 | $78.32 | -5.4% | 630 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 | $96.18 | +16.1% | 40 |
| Oregon | $200,320 | $96.31 | +16.3% | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 | $101.44 | +22.5% | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $155,150 | $74.59 | -9.9% | 0 |
| South Carolina | $138,400 | $66.54 | -19.7% | 420 |
| South Dakota | $83,050 | $39.93 | -51.8% | 30 |
| Tennessee | $165,010 | $79.33 | -4.2% | 240 |
| Texas | $184,040 | $88.48 | +6.8% | 580 |
| Utah | $156,760 | $75.37 | -9.0% | 30 |
| Virginia | $145,040 | $69.73 | -15.8% | 940 |
| Washington | $134,790 | $64.81 | -21.7% | 450 |
| Wisconsin | $173,120 | $83.23 | +0.5% | 180 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for physicists?
The median annual wage for physicists is $172,250 ($82.81 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays physicists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many physicists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 20,430 physicists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do physicists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $82.81. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.